HENRY COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — A $4.7 million funding request from the Henry County School Board to construct new athletic field houses at Bassett and Magna Vista high schools has been approved.

The decision was made by the Henry County Board of Supervisors at a board meeting on August 27.

The funds for the construction will come from the additional 1% sales tax fund, which is specifically designated for new construction and major renovations of school facilities in the county.

This project marks the largest construction initiative financed by this fund to date, according to a news release from the county.

The new field houses will serve multiple purposes, including providing facilities for sporting events and shelter for players during severe weather.

At Magna Vista High School, the project also includes the construction of an alternate gravity flow sewer line to support restrooms and concessions.

The contract for the field house at Bassett High School has been awarded to Quality Construction of Danville, which submitted the lowest bid of $1.94 million.

Concrete Foundations of Gretna, was selected for the Magna Vista project with a bid of $2.79 million.

Following this appropriation, the additional 1% sales tax fund has approximately $6.8 million remaining.

The fund accumulates around $5.5 million annually, the release said.

During the meeting, the board also:

• Adopted the Henry County Energy Action Plan
• Awarded a contract in the amount of $118,500 to RRMM Architects for architectural and engineering services related to the public safety campus master plan
• Awarded a contract in the amount of $73,033 to the Berkley Group, LLC, to prepare an active transportation plan for the county
• Awarded a contract in the amount of $106,850 to RRMM Architects for architectural and engineering services related to electrical upgrades at the administration building
• Approved an additional appropriation of $6,046 from the Virginia Department of Elections to purchase a ballot-on-demand printing system
• Approved an additional appropriation of $100,000 received through the Virginia Department of Transportation Economic Development Access grant program to update plans and specifications for improvements to Beaver Creek Drive
• Approved an additional appropriation of $45,000 received through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice School Resource Officer grant program to provide an SRO for the Career Academy
• Approved an additional appropriation of $510,396 received from recreation fees, concession sales, and the transient occupancy tax to reconcile the operating budget for the Smith River Sports Complex
• Approved an appropriation of $163,000 from the special construction fund to cover expenses related to the Villa Heights Housing Project
• Presented the Community Connected Citizen Award to Miss Martinsville-Henry County Jenna Adams and Miss Martinsville-Henry County Teen Meagan Durham

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