Overcast skies did not cloud the spirits of West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill devotees Friday, April 21, when they gathered for their first look at plans to renovate Mount Vernon Dining Hall and to build the West Virginia State Fire Academy.
Elected officials and donors were among mill devotees who attended the unveiling of the multimillion-dollar construction projects that will begin this year at WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Lifelong Learning Center in Weston.
The program included a construction briefing, architects’renderings, photo sessions and lunch in Mount Vernon Dining Hall.
The 80-year-old dining hallconsidered theheartof Jackson’s Millis modeled after the Virginia home of President George Washington. Like its ancestor, Mount Vernon Dining Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The register’s guidelines are shaping the renovation plans designed by VanNostrand Architects of Buckhannon. Friday the architects shared their vision for enhancing and protecting Mount Vernon .
Improvements will include the removal of exposed heating and cooling systems, and the installation of new sprinkler, fire detection and heating and cooling systems.
The third floor will be remodeled to create private lodging for small group meetings and retreats. An elevator will be installed to provide access to all floors.
McKinley and Associates, an award-winning firm from Wheeling , designed the 25,752-square-foot facilities of the proposed State Fire Academy, which will be built at the south end of the Jackson’s Mill airstrip.
The academy will be used by WVU Fire Service Extension to train volunteer and career firefighters and first-responders. The multi-use building also will be available for community group meetings and other WVU Jackson’s Mill events.
The academy will consist of two wingsan office and classroom wing for faculty and staff and a bay area for inside training. The bay will be 100 feet by 80 feet and have large doors to allow fire trucks and other props into the building.
Terry Patterson, director of WVU Jackson’s Mill, said that neither construction project will interrupt guests’activities at the mill.
The dining hall will close during part of the restorationfrom November 2006 to March 2007. During that period, Patterson said, the mill’s staff will serve guests their meals in other buildings on campus. Dining hall renovations will be completed during the summer of 2007.
No date is set for the State Fire Academy’s groundbreaking. But work is expected to begin this summer and be completed by June 2007.
Mount Vernon’s renovations are being financed by $1.5 million from the West Virginia Legislature and $1.5 million from WVU .
The Fire Academy will cost $6.3 million, with more than half$3.77 millioncoming from Higher Education Policy Commission bonds. The balance is being financed by a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Agency and $535,500 from the Legislature.
The projects will be part of this year’s 85th anniversary observance of the mill’s place in history as the nation’s first state 4-H camp.
The 525-acre retreat facility welcomes more than 76,000 guests each year for camping, conference and heritage education programs. The mill generates more than $12 million yearly for the economy of the Lewis County area. WVU Jackson’s Mill is operated by the WVU Extension Service, the University’s primary outreach arm into each of the state’s 55 counties.
For details about services and educational programs, check the Web (www.ext.wvu.edu) to learn more about WVU Jackson’s Mill, Fire Service Extension and other WVU Extension Service outreach activities.