Following a tour of the Rock Building Thursday afternoon, Pike County Commission Chairman Homer Wright said he could see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Perhaps a dim light, but nonetheless, a light.
Wright, Pike County Commissioner Charlie Harris and David Helms, a concerned citizen, toured the building with Alex Whaley of Whaley Construction Company and Chuck Ingram with McKee & Associates Architects in an effort to determine to feasibility of preserving the building.
The Pike Activities Building, commonly called the Rock Building, was heavily damaged by an arsonist’s fire nearly 20 years ago. Left primarily to time and the elements, the condition of the building has continued to deteriorate.
“We just wanted Mr. Whaley to tell us if the building can be saved and what it will take, money wise, to do it,” Wright said. “This building has been an issue before us for a long time and it’s time to do something, if there’s still time.”
Harris said the building should never have been allowed to get in its present condition.
“The insurance paid off between $150,000 and $175,000,” Harris said. “That money should have been used to put a roof on the building and it wouldn’t be in this kind of condition today.”
But “should have done” is not productive thinking so Harris said it’s time to “get moving” and do what needs to be done to preserve the building that has great significance to the Pike County community.
“We just want to know if it can be done,” he said.
Whaley said that anything is possible but it’s not going to come without a cost.
“First, we need to find a use for the building,” Whaley said. “A lot of creative things can be done with the building – with enough money.
“What is most valuable about this building is the nostalgia. The exterior walls are intact and that’s good. We know that it’s got to have roof but, before we move ahead, we’ve got to know the intended use of the building.”
Helms suggested the citizens of Pike County be given an opportunity for input into the use of the building.
“This building was built with rocks that people hauled in from the fields all across the county,” Harris said in agreement. “The people should have a say in what this building becomes.”
Helms suggested that each Pike County Commissioner poll his district as to possible uses for the Rock Building and bring those suggestions to the Commission.
Wright said the comments from Whaley and Ingram were encouraging and he believes the restoration of the Rock Building is doable.
“It’s time to get it done,” he said.