PILOT MOUNTAIN — Surry County Schools’ east district will enjoy a new middle school in fall 2010.

The beginnings of that construction project took place with a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at noon at the site at 534 Old Westfield Road.

“This is Act Two,” said Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent, of the construction. Act One began with the groundbreaking in Dobson in May for a new elementary school in the central district. “To have Act Two of this is absolutely astonishing in our economic climate.”

“This will be a facility that will enhance students’ education and will be a facility the community and students will use and enjoy for many years to come,” added Sue Stone, board of education member, who represents the east district.

The construction of the school, which will replace Pilot Mountain Middle School, was made possible by the support of the Surry County Board of Commissioners, who were represented at the ceremony by Paul Johnson and Bill Hamlin.

“What a great day to be in Pilot Mountain in the east district,” said Johnson. “Today is a day of thanks. It’s been a long time coming.”

Little is the architectural consulting firm assigned to design the school and representatives have worked with the visioning committee from the school system to come up with a design that will serve 21st century students as well as the community. The committee was made up of teachers, parents and administrators from the district.

“A tremendous group of people from our school and our community played a part in this,” said Cindy Jones, vision committee member and school counselor at Pilot Mountain Middle.

Jones grew up in Pilot Mountain, attending Pilot Mountain Elementary, Pilot Mountain Junior High and East Surry High before returning to work in the schools.

“It’s a great feeling for me. It’s just going to be a great thing for this community — not for now, but for the future,” she said of the school. “One day we’re going to wonder how we did without this school.”

Lane Jessup, a parent of a student at Westfield Elementary School, was also on the visioning committee in helping to design the school his child will attend.

“This is the part we all like to see. This is progress,” he said. “I just look forward to the future of this school.”

The construction bid for the project was awarded to John S. Clark, LLC for $11,376,150. The 44 acres of land for the site on Old Westfield Road was purchased from Sam and Jill Hardy. The existing Pilot Mountain Middle School will be converted into an elementary school, which it was before becoming a middle school.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.