CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- A topping out ceremony was held at the site of the new Lexington Two Performing Arts Center (L2PAC), now under construction in Springdale. The event marks a construction milestone in completing the structure of the building. 

Current and former Lexington Two board members, district and school administrators, along with community, business, and elected leaders attended the March 29 event, with participants invited to sign the final structural beam, which was then lifted and set in place, “topping out” the building.

The L2PAC, scheduled to open in early 2024,  is a state-of-the-art venue that will offer a space for performances,  special events, and district-wide occasions. It will include a two-level balcony with seating for roughly 1,550, with upgraded systems in stage lighting and sound, along with dressing rooms, set storage and backstage areas to support opportunities in dance, music, theater, and more.

The center’s primary mission is its use by district students, schools and employees. There will be additional opportunities for professional development, statewide conferences, conventions, and student competitions, as well as community and cultural events, as space is available.

The center, on Platt Springs Road in Springdale, is the final project of the $225 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2014. The new district office is also on site there.

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Watch a video from the topping out ceremony by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiYoSOzWYp0

WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- Lexington Two was joined by a host of district and school officials, local political and business leaders, and citizens Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new performing arts center and district office.

The center, the final piece of the district’s $225 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2014, is on district-owned property at 3211 Platt Springs Road in Springdale. Construction is estimated to take about two years to complete.

Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Nicolas Wade told the crowd gathered for the ceremony that the “large, state-of-the-art venue will offer a space for performances,  special events, and district-wide occasions, something many schools do not have.“ The center will include a two-level balcony with seating for roughly 1,550, as well as four meeting and event breakout spaces.   Upgraded systems in stage lighting and sound, along with dressing rooms, set storage and backstage areas, will ensure that the center is outfitted for a range of opportunities in dance, music, theater and more.

“This facility, I believe, firmly states we are a district that is central, innovative, and attractive,” Dr. Wade added. 

Springdale Mayor Michael Bishop said the site for the performing arts center is one of the “last big pieces of property in town.” Bishop added that officials appreciate the district’s commitment to the town and look forward to the great things the center will bring to the community.

The primary mission for the center is its use by district students, schools and employees, with additional opportunities for use in professional development and planning, statewide conferences, conventions, and student competitions, as well as community and cultural events, as space is available.

“This facility will offer endless opportunities for our students and at the same time, it will be a great way to bring this close community even closer together,” Board Chair Christina Rucker told the crowd. “There is something special about Lexington Two, and I do not doubt that there will be something special about this performing arts

center. This new center will be beautiful, as will the performances that will take place here soon.”

The Lexington Two Board of Trustees, which gave final approval to the project last month, is expected to decide on a name for the center in coming weeks. A stakeholder committee has offered three recommendations: Lexington Two Visual and Performing Arts Center (Lex2 V-PAC), Metropolitan Arts Center of Lexington Two (MAC of Lex2) and Midlands Arts Center of Lexington Two (MAC of Lex2).

The district office will move into the center, a measure that will allow the space to be continuously occupied. The estimated cost for the project is $52 million.

• New stadium field house completed Spring of 2017
• Interior renovations completed Fall of 2017
  • Special education self-contained classroom with skills lab
  • Two (2) art classrooms
  • Theater classroom
  • Enlarged and renovated weight room
  • Renovated 5 locker rooms
• Eagle's Nest renovations completed Spring 2018 
• Renovated baseball and softball complexes
• 700 wing renovations completed Summer of 2020 include: JROTC classroom and indoor drill area, indoor fitness center and cheer team indoor practice area
• Enclosed walkways between buildings
• Additional renovations utilizing annual Capital Improvement Funds
  • New sound systems in auditorium and cafeteria
  • New 700 wing roof
  • New Digital Scoreboards for Baseball and Softball complexes

• Athletic renovations this year included the addition of a 5th tennis court, a new baseball press box and a new baseball/softball concession stand completed February 2018. 
• The new state of the art sports arena opened January 2019
• Renovations to the old vocational wing began summer of 2018; renovations expanded the i2Tech program and converted portions of the area into 2 new science labs
• Auditorium renovations completed May of 2019 
• Renovations of the North Wing Summer of 2019

• Demolition, additions and renovations began June 2018; the school reopened for occupancy July 2019.
• Additions include new:
  • admin area
  • cafeteria & kitchen
  • science & regular classrooms
  • art/choral area
  • media center
  • bus/parent canopy
  • secure fencing
• Renovations include:
  • restroom renovations
  • new finishes to existing facility
  • new classroom electrical/data
  • remove lockers/bases
  • replace markerboards

• School renovations completed August 2017
  • New cafetorium and kitchen
  • New theatre arts room, new Project Lead the Way Lab, two (2) new classrooms and new professional development suite from previous cafeteria/kitchen
• Road construction to begin Summer of 2018 on the fire access lane around the campus of PRMS, Congaree-Wood Early Childhood Center and Wood Elementary; this project will utilize Abbeville Capital Project Improvement Funds (CPIF) 

CAYCE ELEMENTARY

New elementary school; opened August 2017

• A new cafetorium
• New restrooms
• Two (2) new classroom additions
• New Fire Sprinkler System

• 9,000 square feet of additional space
• Larger media center
• Expanded arts space
• New gym/cafetorium space designated to accommodate the arts.

• 21,660 square feet of additional space
• New cafetorium
• New and renovated restrooms
• Two (2) new classrooms and 4 converted classrooms from former office/media center area
• New Administration complex

• 3 new Pre-K classrooms at C-WECC
• A new Project Lead the Way Lab and one additional classroom at Wood Elementary