The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department has finally completed the $900,000 renovation of its run-down training center and is opening the space back up for volunteer responders and bluegrass-lovers alike.
In February, the classroom portion of the old training facility was demolished to make room for the new building.
The old building, which served as the former location of Snow Hill Elementary School, had deteriorated to the point that it was beginning to pose a safety hazard, said Highway 58 Fire Department Chief C. R. Harris. The roof leaked badly and the floors in some of the classrooms were beginning to sag, he said.
"It was getting to the point where it was not safe to even have training classes in there," said Jerry Wilson, spokesman for the fire department.
The new training facility has 12-15 rooms - a decent upgrade from the old facility's seven classrooms, Wilson said.
With the doubled space, he continued, the fire department will be able to accommodate more volunteers during its Tuesday night training sessions, hopefully leading to an increase in firefighters and emergency responders while providing a more comfortable environment.
"I think it's just going to be a much nicer situation for the firefighters," said Wilson. "They can go in there, sit in the nice classroom and be able to concentrate on what they're being taught."
In addition to more classroom space, the new facility also has a bay area large enough to fit a fire engine, allowing the volunteers to familiarize themselves with the equipment during training sessions.
Though exciting news for volunteers, the remodel's completion is also great news for bluegrass fans.
For the last 15 years, the fire department has sponsored the Snow Hill Bluegrass Jamboree in the building's auditorium, and now that the work is complete, the monthly acoustic music show is set to resume on Saturday, Oct. 6.
Held the first Saturday of every month, the free jamboree typically draws about 300 attendees each month, Wilson estimated.
The money raised from barbecue plate sales at the show has been used to purchase food and toys for needy families within the fire department's service area, he added. Last year, the department fed about 70 families and delivered Christmas presents to roughly 115 kids, turning their fire engines into Santa's sleigh.
"Some of the kids get a kick out of seeing that fire truck come up with their sirens [blaring] or 'Jingle Bells' playing over the radio," Wilson laughed.
Though the jamboree typically takes a break during the month of November so department staff and volunteers have time to start packing food and toys, the shows will continue through the season this year to make up for the eight months lost, hopefully allowing the department to generate enough revenue to continue their holiday service.
Though the show normally starts at 6 p.m., the Oct. 6 jam session will begin at 4 p.m. for one time only.
Harris noted that the new training center will open at noon on Oct. 6 so residents can tour the remodeled facility.
Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.