Pickett Schools Solar Pavilion Not Happening, Grant Repurposed

A TVA grant to build a solar pavilion in Pickett County has been repurposed to replace more lights at the high school.

Director of Schools Diane Elder said the school board decided against the solar pavilion with bids over budget. So, TVA moved an extra $100,000 to an ongoing lighting project under the same grant.

“We were supposed to be getting a pavilion, but of course, building materials went ridiculously high and nobody could build what was wanted and what was in the specs for the amount of money we were allotted,” Elder said.

Originally, the district received a $400,000 grant. $300,000 to be spent on the pavilion and $100,000 for lighting. Elder said the school board decided to not cover the additional costs of the pavilion, so TVA gave extra money for lighting instead.

“TVA came back to us and told us if we chose to, we could accept a $100,000 grant and do more energy upgrades with it, so that’s what we chose to do it,” Elder said.

Elder said the additional funding will allow the hallway lights to be replaced at the high school.