BOPARC has big plans for Fourth Ward School building

Oct. 16—MORGANTOWN — For 112 years, the three-story, brick building at 287 Eureka Drive has been the heart of the Wiles Hill community.

Built in 1910, the Fourth Ward School, or, more commonly, Wiles Hill School, served its educational mission for 89 years.

It received an addition in 1939 thanks to Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal-era Public Works Administration. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2004.

But that was just the opening act.

Shortly after consolidation forced the school's closure in 1999, the 14, 000 square-foot building was sold to BOPARC.

It's served as a community /senior center, artist haven, dance studio, fitness space, concert hall and all-around gathering spot since 2005 or so.

Now BOPARC, working off a feasibility study conducted by Omni Architects, plans to return the favor.

Over time, BOPARC intends to use a portion of the revenue it receives from the municipal sales tax to address a series of projects identified in the report.

Many of the projects are relatively small and will be handled in-house as funds are available, according to BOPARC Assistant Director Marissa Travinski.

Those include the construction of additional accessible restrooms, a renovation of the building's existing industrial kitchen and the transformation of classroom space into a full-time coffee shop /cafe and gallery, Eureka Cafe, which is tentatively slated to open this winter.

Other projects, like the need for a complete HVAC overhaul (at least $400, 000 according to Omni) and an elevator to offset the old building's inherent lack of accessibility (at least $120, 000) aren't so small, nor is the building's need for a new roof and fire suppression system.

During a recent tour of the building, Travinski said the work, when at all possible, will preserve the building's wood floors and brick walls. Other features like original slate chalk boards, the old bell system and the room-sized coal fire furnace in the basement are also staying put.

While the Romanesque Revival-style building is pleasing to the eye from the outside, it's outdone by the vantage point it offers perched atop Wiles Hill.

"This is probably one of the coolest views in Morgantown, " Travinski said, gesturing to a bank of third-floor windows. "You not only see the stadium, you can see down into the stadium. It's just an absolutely amazing view."

The old Fourth Ward School is just one of the former school properties in use by the city. The former Woodburn School, built in 1909, underwent a similar process and is now the city's Woodburn Community Complex. The former First Ward School property is now Jack Roberts Park.

Travinski said the ultimate goal is for the school and 3.5 acre property to remain a beloved and valuable community resource.

"Our hope is that the center will be a neighborhood and community gathering place with diverse opportunities for everyone, " she said. "We look forward to these offerings developing organically through community input and interest."

For information about the various programming opportunities in the Wiles Hill Community Center, visit boparc.org.