New Hanover County Commissioners approve funding for NHHS facility study

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Commissioners also voted to fund a new study that will look at the viability of the buildings at New Hanover High School. 

Commissioners unanimously approved a $300,000 facility study that will look at the state of the 100-year-old school. 

It will explore whether the school’s buildings can be saved and how much repairs could cost. The high school has seen several renovations over the years, but some feel those renovations are just a stop gap.  

Commissioner Jonathan Barfield said it’s much more likely that the school will need new buildings, rather than renovating the old ones. 

“I think the study will show exactly what I think it will, that we need to have a new building there,” Barfield said. “Those students deserve a state-of-the-art facility, with state-of-the-art amenities as well, as opposed to something that’s always in disrepair. We have put more band aids on New Hanover High School than I can shake a stick at, so to speak.” 

Once a third-party contract is secured, the study will take six to nine months to complete.