Shovels Turn in Warm Springs

A ground breaking ceremony for the RooseveltSchool, a state-of-the-art, $20 million residential and vocational complex, was held Oct. 22 at Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation.

The MeriwetherCounty facility, which will have more than 150 beds, is a 70,000-square-foot, two-story, U-shaped building. Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission is managing the construction. Batson-Cook Construction of West Point was awarded the contract to build the new facility

Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond called this project the most important project he has ever been involved in, saying it should help ensure Roosevelt Institute is here serving Georgians for another 82 years.

“This day, this building, this morning is the epitome of my accomplishments. Nothing I ever do will equal this great moment,” Thurmond said.

“It’s going to become a showplace for our campus and a tremendous improvement over our current facilities,” said Roosevelt Institute Executive Director Greg Schmieg. “When I first came on board, Commissioner Thurmond challenged me to bring Roosevelt Warm Springs into the 21st Century and the RooseveltSchool will become a major part of that success.”

The facility will be completed in December of 2010.