LINDEN &8212; The Linden High School gymnasium is set to get a facelift in the coming months after several funding sources became available to the city school system and the Board of Education accepted the low bid Tuesday.

The new project, set to be complete by Dec. 15, will begin with a $850,000 renovation of the gym building including wall and structure repairs and a significant upgrade to the lobby and concession areas.

The project company, Eaves Construction, will also undergo two alternate additions.

The first is a $34,000 renovation to the locker room facilities.

The second will add approximately 250 seats to the current 275-seat gym at a cost of $30,000.

Superintendent Scott Collier said there were four companies that bid on the project, but the board chose Eaves Construction both because they were the lowest bidder and because they were a local company.

The board has 30 days to accept any alternate bid options, one of which is to install a new air conditioning system. Collier said he hopes to research additional funding options in order to add the new air conditioning component.

The bulk of the project is covered by bond issue funds from the state and extra Black Belt area funds designated by the state. The school system will also used awarded incentive grants for the project.

In other business, the board:

4Accepted for review a new dress code policy known as Spirit Fridays, where students who meet certain academic standards after the first nine-weeks period of school will be allowed to wear jeans and school-sponsored t-shirts.

4Accepted the state-approved credit-based diploma system, to go into effect for next year.