Willow Wind work under way - 2/2/2010 Rob Brogan, left and Jim Webber of Adroit Construction, both from Medford, work on the restoration of Willow Winds' 100 year-old barn. Bob Pennell photo
The barn, one of the area's oldest agricultural structures, will become a performing arts center and community venue and will provide classroom space for the school, an alternative program operated by the Ashland School District.
Teachers, parents and the school district raised $575,000 toward the remodel while the Ashland district contributed $150,000 from a capital bond approved in 2007. The 1890-era barn is on school property on East Main Street near Walker Avenue, across from ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. Its interior was stripped away for the project, and a new foundation ws poured. Old beams and posts have been reinforced. Eventually, classroom space, seating for up to 200 and handicap accessibility will be added to the old agricultural hull. Completion of the project is slated for June. |
