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Woodsboro's State-of-the-Art Dome Built with FEMA Funds
Posted: Jan 10, 2012 12:47 PM by Janine Reyes - jreyes@kristv.com
Updated: Jan 10, 2012 1:12 PM
WOODSBORO -- The small town of Woodsboro has a new $2.3 million building. It's a multi purpose dome for the school district, funded largely by FEMA.
The building not only looks impressive, it has the potential to save lives. Now others across Texas are hoping for a dome of their own.it
"It seats about 700 people," Woodsboro Independent School District Steven Self explained while giving us a tour.
The state-of-the-art concrete dome is home of the Woodsboro Eagles. In October, the district's volleyball team broke in the new building.
"They ended up beating a team they hadn't beat in years," Self said. Part practice and hard work, of course, and perhaps, part pride says Self.
There is plenty to be proud of as the steel reinforced building could save lives.
"They're considered near-absolute protection by FEMA from hurricanes, tornadoes, natural disasters," he said. "That's why FEMA footed $1.5 million dollars of $2.3 million it cost to build.
In an emergency up to 1,700 people could seek shelter there, and a generator, included in the project, could provide power in case of a major outage.
The FEMA funding was essential for the small community to get the 19,000 square foot dome.
"We would not be able to have something so nice without it," Self explained.
Not only is the dome impressive, a separate grant provided funds for solar panels that feed into a grid. That provides energy for the building, netting big savings for the district.
"It takes 60% less energy than a conventional gym or multi-purpose center," said Self.
The Texas Comptroller helped fund the solar array project that could pay for itself in terms of electricty costs saved.
"We're hoping it takes very little energy, maybe no energy in some months," Self said of the $800,000 solar power investment.
The state is now making money available for similar buildings through a South Texas Safe Shelters grant.
School districts and entities across Texas have toured the building to learn more about it.
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