KINGWOOD — Preston County Schools would like to hang onto the former Arthurdale gym, but there are some qualifications in the deed that must be followed. The gym was part of the original Arthurdale school.
It is currently used only for storage, and there has been speculation whether ownership would revert to Arthurdale Heritage, if it is no longer used by the school system.
Preston School Superintendent Steve Wotring said Monday that Facilities Manager Matt Murray tracked down the original document on ownership.
It says, “This conveyance is made to the Preston County Board of Education on the condition that said land and improvements thereon shall be used for public school purposes in conformity with the laws of the State of West Virginia. If and when such land and improvements are no longer used for those specific purposes … the title thereto shall revert to the United States.”
The federal government developed Arthurdale, the school and industries there. The property was sold to private owners in 1947.
Wotring said more research is needed, and the building needs to be addressed in the county’s 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan. He hopes to do what’s necessary to keep the property.
“We need to look at demolishing the building, basically,” he said. “But we need to look at retaining the area for educational use because if the West Preston School attendance area continues to grow, that is the only place we have to expand is that piece of property,” Wotring said.
“I would not like to see that building demolished during the school year,” Board President Jack Keim said. “I would rather see the building demolished when there were no students there and the area is clear, around the summer time or something.” Keim asked if the building is fit to be used by the community? Murray said not.
The structure is currently boarded up.
Board Member Pam Feathers asked if the same occupancy standards apply if a group not connected with the school used the building? It was never condemned, Murray said, but who would take on the liability if it were used?
Board Member Bob Ridenour said he does not believe the board could avoid liability for the building and could be sued if something happened.
The gym building includes bleachers, a gym floor and stage, and locker rooms. It has not been used since the new addition to Valley Elementary opened three years ago. After that construction, the school was renamed West Preston.
West Preston has the second largest school enrollment in the county. Preston High has the most students.
In other facilities news, Wotring said the bleachers at the football field beside Kingwood Elementary will be demolished. “They basically have got to come down. They’re just unsafe at this point,” Wotring said.
