BCSD News Release: BCSD Celebrates Opening of Warhorse Arena, New FEMA Safe Room and Gymnasium

BARNWELL, S.C. — September 30, 2026 — More than a decade after the idea was first introduced, Barnwell County School District celebrated the completion of its new FEMA Safe Room and Gymnasium during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning.  District leaders, elected officials, emergency management representatives and community partners gathered to celebrate a facility that will serve students while providing an important resource for the community during severe weather emergencies.

The decade-long effort brings new opportunities for students and enhanced emergency preparedness to Barnwell County.  The new gymnasium will provide space for athletics and other school activities. However, its significance extends far beyond the basketball court. The facility is also designed to serve as a safe room during qualifying severe weather emergencies, providing an additional layer of protection for the Barnwell County community.

During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton reflected on the project's lengthy history, the challenges encountered along the way and the partnerships that ultimately made the facility a reality.

A Project More Than a Decade in the Making

The district began exploring the project in 2015, initially seeking federal disaster mitigation funding following historic flooding in South Carolina. Although the district's first grant application was not approved, officials were encouraged to reapply using funding associated with Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  

What followed was a lengthy process involving grant applications, federal and state approvals, revised submissions and unexpected delays. The COVID-19 pandemic further slowed the approval process, extending the project's timeline.

Finally, in 2023, Phase I received federal approval, allowing the district to move forward with Phase II. However, because so much time had passed since the project’s initial approvals, the district was required to resubmit plans and obtain updated approvals from the various agencies involved in the permitting process.

For a school district, that process is particularly complex. In addition to the permitting and regulatory requirements associated with a project of this size, school construction is subject to additional layers of review and approval. Each of those requirements had to be addressed before the project could move forward.

By fall 2024, the project had progressed sufficiently to move toward construction. At the same time, district leaders were navigating district consolidation and planning for the new Barnwell County High School.

Despite these challenges, the district remained committed to completing a facility that would benefit both students and the broader community.

Years of Persistence and Determination

BCSD Board of Trustees Chair Becky Huggins reflected on the project's lengthy journey, recalling the many times district leaders questioned whether the facility would ever become a reality.

What began as an idea more than a decade ago required years of planning, determination and collaboration among past and present school board members, district administrators and emergency management partners.

The former Barnwell School District 45 Board of Trustees had the foresight to reserve the funding needed for the local match, a financial commitment that helped make the project possible.

Huggins expressed special appreciation to Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton for her leadership and persistence throughout the project that spanned over a decade. She also recognized former district leaders, past and present board members and the many individuals whose contributions helped bring the project to completion.

She acknowledged the patience of students and school employees who experienced construction activity while continuing their daily school routines. Many of the project's delays involved government requirements, administrative processes and approvals, making the completion of the facility especially meaningful for those who had been involved since its earliest stages.

Strong Partnerships Make the Project Possible

Throughout the ceremony, Stapleton emphasized that a project of this magnitude would not have been possible without strong partnerships at the local, state and federal levels.

Stapleton gave special recognition to former Barnwell County Emergency Management Director Roger Riley, whose involvement with the project dates back to its earliest days in 2015. Riley worked closely with Stapleton and Tetra Tech as the grant was developed, beginning years of frequent meetings, phone calls and coordination as the project moved through the lengthy approval process. Stapleton thanked Riley for his commitment, continued partnership and determination to see the project through, even during the many challenges and delays along the way.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division administered the federal funding, with BCSD serving as a grant subrecipient. Representatives from the division worked closely with the district throughout the project's development, providing guidance and assistance with the extensive reporting and oversight requirements associated with federal funding.

The district also partnered with Tetra Tech, a global consulting and engineering firm whose team brought extensive experience with FEMA grants. Tetra Tech helped district leaders navigate the complex requirements associated with the project throughout the lengthy planning and approval process. 

Once the project advanced to construction, H.G. Reynolds transformed the facility's plans into reality. Stapleton recognized members of the company's team during the ceremony, including President Jeffrey Reynolds and Project Manager Hank Reynolds, thanking them for their dedication throughout construction.

The district's partnership with H.G. Reynolds continues as the company works on construction of the new Barnwell County High School, scheduled to open in fall 2028.

Stapleton also recognized members of the district leadership team who worked extensively on the project, including Assistant Superintendent Franklin McCormack, Chief Financial Officer Holly Hutto and Chief Operations Officer Mike Beasley. 

The ceremony also included recognition of members of the district's legislative delegation, Barnwell County Council and municipal governments, along with emergency management officials and other community partners who supported the project.

A Facility Built for Students and Community Safety

While the new gymnasium will provide opportunities for students to practice, compete and celebrate their accomplishments, its specialized design allows it to serve a second, equally important purpose.

The building incorporates features designed to support emergency operations and provide protection during qualifying severe weather events. Its dual-purpose design allows the district to maximize the facility's everyday use while maintaining an important emergency preparedness resource for the community.

Stapleton emphasized that the facility belongs to the entire county and represents an investment that extends beyond the school district.

For the students who watched the building take shape, the completion of the gymnasium marks the beginning of new opportunities for school activities. For the broader community, it represents an additional resource for safety and emergency preparedness.

Monday's ribbon cutting celebrated more than the completion of a building. It marked the culmination of years of persistence, planning and collaboration among school leaders, government agencies and community partners who shared a commitment to bringing the project to completion.

Following the ceremony, guests participated in self-guided tours of Warhorse Arena, visiting stations throughout the facility to learn about the specialized systems that allow the building to serve as both a gymnasium and a FEMA safe room.  District representatives highlighted features including emergency backup power, fire protection, ventilation and accessible facilities.

As BCSD continues investing in facilities that support student success and community well-being, the new FEMA Safe Room and Gymnasium stands as a lasting example of what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared vision for the future.

Learn More About Warhorse Arena

Community members can learn more about Warhorse Arena, the FEMA Safe Room and Gymnasium project on the Barnwell County School District website. The dedicated webpage includes a timeline tracing the project’s journey from its earliest planning stages to completion, a photo gallery and video documenting the project and ribbon-cutting celebration, details about the facility’s specialized safety features, and additional information about the partnerships that helped make the project possible.

Every Student Matters. Every Moment Counts.

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For more information, contact:

Barnwell County School District Communications Office

Phone: (803) 541-1298
Email: BCSDNews@bcsd.net