High Island shelter groundbreaking

ground_0The groundbreaking for construction of a state-of-the-art emergency shelter on the Peninsula calls for gold-plated shovels, of course! This 9500 square foot, $4.2 million emergency shelter is anticipated to be one of the strongest buildings along the Gulf Coast and will withstand major hurricanes with winds up to 190 mph. This construction is no minor undertaking, and representatives from all levels of government were present; federal, state, county, and school board. The funding for the facility was provided by the GLO-Disaster Recovery Division.

School Board members, government officials, and construction representatives participated in the groundbreaking ceremony

School Board members, government officials, and construction representatives participated in the groundbreaking ceremony

The hurricane safe shelter will be built in conjunction with the High Island School District. HISD donated the land across the street from the school. In it’s “off-season” the building will be used daily by the school as a gymnasium and for other school functions. “It will impact in a positive way the lives of the children of our community…they are the future,” reflects HISD Superintendent D’Ann Vonderau, “this will certainly be an asset for not only High Island but for all the citizens of Bolivar.”

School Superintendent D'Ann Vonderau addressing the visitors. Pictured left to right, State Representative Wayne Faircloth, US Congressman Randy Weber, Superintendent Vonderau, School Board Members Benny Barrow, Karen Faggard and Gary Kent, and County Commissioner Ryan Dennard.

School Superintendent D’Ann Vonderau addressing the visitors. Pictured left to right, State Representative Wayne Faircloth, US Congressman Randy Weber, Superintendent Vonderau, School Board Members Benny Barrow, Karen Faggard and Gary Kent, and County Commissioner Ryan Dennard.

“We are excited to be doing this project with you,” remarks County Commissioner Ryan Dennard.

State Representative Wayne Faircloth states, “this is the way government ought to work, leadership from every level, a good use of resources. It just makes sense.” And US Congressman Randy Weber is grateful, “thank you for investing your lives in the children of our future.”

The groundbreaking for construction of a state-of-the-art emergency shelter on the Peninsula calls for gold-plated shovels, of course!

The groundbreaking for construction of a state-of-the-art emergency shelter on the Peninsula calls for gold-plated shovels, of course!

Construction is expected to start this month, and completion is anticipated about this time next year.
[2-29-2016]

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5 Responses to “High Island shelter groundbreaking”

  1. Tracie Camp says:

    As stated in the first paragraph of this article:

    “This 9500 square foot, $4.2 million emergency shelter will protect peninsula residents in the event of a major storm. ”

    I, too, feel that this statement gives the impression that the shelter is for residents as a location of ‘last resort.’ Never is it stated that the shelter is for first responders and emergency equipment. Clarification is certainly needed.

  2. IT SEEMS SOME CLARIFICATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ABOUT JUST WHAT THE SHELTER IS GOING TO BE USED FOR… PERHAPS BOTH PURPOSES COULD BE ACCOMMODATED?? WE LEFT THE PENINSULA BECAUSE OF THE THREAT OF STORMS AFTER SEVERAL MANDATORY EVACUATIONS AND COMPLETELY LOSING OUR HOME , AND IT’S CONTENTS, EXCEPT FOR WHAT WE COULD FIT INTO A TRAVEL TRAILER..
    ( WE ONLY HAVE TORNADOES UP HERE NEAR DALLAS!!)

    JUST WONDERING??? AND WE ARE KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH MANY DOWN THERE… WE MISS OUR FAMILY THERE AND THAT BEACH! AND OUR VIEW FROM PORT BOLIVAR….. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

  3. Carlis cole says:

    The shelter is for emergency personnel and equipment post disaster, not for residents nor pets before or during storms. I asked too!

  4. Linda C. Elissalde says:

    Will this be for residents or for government officials who are sent to the area after a storm? Also, will HWY 87/124 connection be fixed so that residents can reach it in case of a hurricane?

    Thank you.
    Linda C. Elissalde

  5. Gaylynn Evenson says:

    That’s awesome for us residents of the Bolivar!
    I just wanted to know. …
    What about our pets?

    Thanks

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