WINDSOR
Windsor Town Council agreed on Tuesday to get more written estimates for the exterior renovation of the former Windsor Middle School gymnasium complex.

A few years ago the town began research into using the site as a community center at the same time that work was progressing on what would become the Georgie D. Tyler Middle School, complete with its own gymnasium.

Repairing masonry, putting up a new door or more on the outside, painting three sides of the building and replacing two broken panes are among the tasks needed to help make the place reusable.

“We need to get started on this,” Mayor Carita Richardson said in her report that evening. She added that the masonry joints and windows need caulking now.

Although one section of the roof needs some repairs, an inspection shows that it could last “quite awhile — decades even.”

Richardson asked council for approval to sign a contract to begin work, but the members decided they want more professional input before making a decision.

As previously reported, the mayor has said what she’d like to see would be programs focusing chiefly on youth and senior citizens at the center.

“Those two groups are people who really need programs because of their ages,” she said. “There’s the importance of wholesome programs for youth to be involved in that would keep them away from gangs and away from drugs.

“There are just many, many uses for that building,” she continued. “I have a lot of ideas.”