Athens State University held a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, May 20 at 8:00 am in Carter Hall to discuss proposed renovations to the facility. The meeting was well-attended by local officials and community members and included a presentation of the architectural plans for the renovation, followed by a question-and-answer session.
As Athens and Limestone County continue to experience unparalleled growth, the demand for usable workforce education space and multipurpose community and event space has become an ever-increasing challenge. It has been proposed to renovate Carter Gymnasium on the campus of Athens State University into a space that accommodates these needs. Due to the closing of the Limestone County Event Center in 2019, Carter Gymnasium is now the largest multipurpose space that is available to the public for civic events.
Originally constructed in 1965, Carter Gymnasium has been modified by removing bleachers but still remains a basic gym. Over the course of the past 13 years, two feasibility studies have been conducted to determine needs for Limestone County, the City of Athens, corporate clients, civic organizations, the University, and the general public. Each of these studies has concluded that the demand exists for quality event, training, meeting, and general use space.
The current vision for Carter Hall includes constructing 19,600 square feet of new space on the south side of the structure (facing Hobbs Street) and 8,100 square feet of new space on the north side (facing Pryor Street). Additionally, the renovation of gym space would create seating capacity for approximately 1,100 individuals and would include movable partitions to allow for multiple event configurations to occur simultaneously. The plans also include a multi-purpose space on the north side with a seating capacity of approximately 700.
“We are truly grateful to everyone who came out today to share our vision regarding what a renovated Carter Hall can be for both the University and the Athens/Limestone County community,” stated Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, President of Athens State. “It’s a powerful example of what we can accomplish when we work together to invest in our future. Having a beautiful and much-needed set of spaces in both levels of Carter Hall will provide our community with a vibrant hub for collaboration and more. These renovated spaces will serve as a welcoming and inspiring environment for all who walk through our doors.”
Proposed Renderings of Carter Hall
