CELINA-The Celina Head Start program has vacated its space in the Clay County Community Center and work by J. Cumby Construction, Inc. of Cookeville is well underway on the renovation and expansion of that facility to add a modern courtroom and rebuild former Head Start classrooms into offices for the County Court Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, and Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court.

Once the classrooms were empty and plans were finalized, Sheriff Brandon Boone’s work crews began the necessary demolition work removing exterior wall coverings, old ceilings, and flooring in preparation for actual construction work to begin.

“I want to thank the sheriff’s department work crew and county maintenance people for their help in getting this project underway. Their work saved Clay County taxpayers a lot of money on this project,” said County Mayor Dale Reagan. “Ernest (Garrison) and the highway department have also been helpful with this project.”

The new courtroom will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and provide seating for about 100 in addition to jury seating, judges bench, and clerk areas. Holding cells for those still in the custody of the Sheriff’s office and making court appearance are also part of the planned building.

Completion of the work is supposed to be within 150 days of starting and with the project now in early stages it is slightly ahead of schedule.