KELSEYVILLE — Friday marked the official end of a construction class at Kelseyville High School (KHS) organized by District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown to build an athletic equipment storage building.
Brown petitioned the Kelseyville Unified School District Board of Trustees in May to build a storage facility on the KHS campus in the place of a dilapidated Quonset hut for the wrestling team to store its mats. Brown is the KHS wrestling coach.
The construction class was a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) project during the summer that began on June 20. Nineteen high school students from Upper Lake, Kelseyville and Middletown participated in the project, which took place on Monday and Thursday mornings to escape hot afternoon temperatures.
The new 2,400-square-foot facility has been nearly completed by the students. Some elements of the project, such as completing the roof, finishing the interior walls and painting the interior and exterior of the building, will be finished by contractors before school begins, Brown said. He said some paving and groundwork might also commence.
“I am so proud of this,” Brown said, adding that the students who participated on the project did a beautiful job. “I”m very happy with the kids that were helping me. They need to be real proud of what they did.”
Brown contributed much of his own money toward the project, which he estimated at $35,000 in total costs. Brown said many people also contributed money to the project, including Miles Turner, Don Borges, Lisa Pope and Steve Brookes, who contributed money on behalf of the Joe Priest Foundation. Brown estimated the building will be worth approximately $250,000 upon completion.
Brown said he had lots of support from contractors and vendors throughout the county with teaching the students to perform required tasks as well as with contributing materials.
Some of the volunteers Brown mentioned include Miles Turner (who was the first KHS wrestling coach and whom the building will be named after), Willy Turner, Matt Odom, Jeff Bour, Jim Clement, ROP teacher Mike Jones and Brock Falkenberg at the Lake County Office of Education.
Some of the contractors and vendors Brown mentioned include Kelseyville Lumber, Mendo Mill and Lumber, Clearlake Redi-mix, Clearlake Lava, Lake County Electric Supply, Turner Insulation, Totorica Plumbing, JC Painting, Allen Kiethly Trucking and Pivniska Trucking.
Brown said there is still time to contribute to the project. For those interested in contributing, contact Brown at 349-2628 or Kelseyville High School at 279-4923 and specify for the wrestling program.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
