The Campus at the Historic Lenoir High School consists of four main buildings – the auditorium, gymnasium, a future pavilion, and visitor center that will provide auxiliary support space for events at the pavilion. The Campus also includes Mack Cook Stadium and the Band Building, which the City hopes to renovate in the future. The site is located on just over six acres of prime real estate in Downtown Lenoir. Home to the Bearcats, the Lenoir High School is a historic property and in a national historic district in Lenoir. The architectural firm Benton & Benton designed it and built it in 1922.
In December, City Council approved $5.8 million for phase one of the project. Phase one includes renovations to the Lenoir High School Auditorium and the Gymnasium & Event Center on The Campus. The City also plans to build a new outdoor pavilion across the street between Harper Avenue and West Avenue and renovate a city-owned building into a visitor center. Funding includes grants, State of North Carolina contributions, private donations, and City funds.
Construction should start this week.
Mayor Joe Gibbons said The Campus at the Historic Lenoir High School is a great project for Lenoir that will create publicly-owned event spaces in the heart of the City along the Overmountain Victory Trail where the community can gather; the City can host festivals, concerts, and events; and where local growers and artists can hold a farmers market.
“The Campus is a great project for Lenoir,” Mayor Gibbons said. “The project was highlighted in our 2024 Downtown Lenoir Master Plan and we’re following through on that plan. We’ll have a renovated auditorium with upgraded lighting and sound, so we’ll continue to preserve the community history of the school. We’ll have an improved, multiuse venue in the gymnasium, and we’re working on a new pavilion and visitor center. It’s a win-win-win for the City. This historic property is very important to a lot of people in the community and it’s been part of the heart and soul of Lenoir for many years.”
The Auditorium
The auditorium renovation will create a state-of-the art facility for the performing arts community in a beloved, historic building. In addition to hosting live performances, the auditorium can host conferences, meetings, and other events. Planned auditorium improvements include:
- Full seating, carpet, and acoustic ceiling panel replacement
- Backstage floor plan changes on both levels
- Restroom relocation and improvements for accessibility
- The addition of a new roll-up door and ramp for backstage access
- Full audio, video, and lighting upgrades
- Mechanical improvements to support floor plan changes and upgrades
The Gymnasium & Event Center
The gymnasium renovation will provide a multipurpose space capable of hosting a variety of events and gatherings. The gym can also offer supporting space for primary events being held in the auditorium. Planned Gymnasium & Event Center improvements include:
- Two-story addition for a new elevator and stairwell
- Exterior door replacement
- Floor plan modifications for restrooms and multipurpose spaces
- Warming kitchen / concession stand
- HVAC system installation for full space conditioning
- ADA ramp and parking, asphalt replacement, drainage improvements
Overmountain Victory Trail Pavilion / Auxiliary Support Space
The Overmountain Victory Trail (OVT) Pavilion will bring a dedicated space for a local farmers market and other community events. People can use the pavilion connect and engage with arts, music, learning, and more. Farmers markets support local communities and revitalize neighborhoods. Residents can also use the pavilion to socialize and host crafting workshops or other classes in an outdoor setting. The pavilion can be used for a farmers market, concerts, art shows, STEM classes, 4H Meetings, and more. Planned Pavilion improvements include:
- 4,000-square-feet covered pavilion
- High-velocity ceiling fans
- Outdoor fireplace
- Lighting for evening events
- Connect to the OVT and City Greenway
- Green spaces
Overmountain Victory Trail Visitor Center
The OVT Visitors Center will provide a rest stop along the Overmountain Victory Trail through Downtown Lenoir. People using the trail can use the visitor center to cool off and refresh. The center will also support events at the OVT Pavilion. Planned Visitor Center improvements included:
- Office space
- Public restrooms
- Warming kitchen
- Indoor event space
The school and gymnasium are more than 100 years old. The band building was built between 1935 and 1937 and has brick walls connecting it to the main building. An addition was built onto the school in 1962. In 1977, the Lenoir High School closed its doors to students. The local school system used the property for Willow Street Middle School until 1981.
The City hired Maurer Architecture as the architect and JM Cope as the general contractor for the project.
Contractors hope to finish the auditorium and gymnasium by in early 2027.
You can find out more about The Campus and see more images at www.cityoflenoir.com/thecampus.