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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCity officials in Anderson don't have much time left to find a way to save the closed Wigwam gymnasium.
The city Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution Thursday to take ownership of the 9,000-seat gym from the Anderson school district, but only if it has a binding agreement by Sept. 2 with a group to reopen the Wigwam.
That's the deadline the school district has set for going ahead with plans for demolishing the gym it closed in 2011 as a cost-cutting move.
The Herald Bulletin reports commission member Kevin Sulc said he was frustrated that the private group Wigwam Sports & Entertainment backed out of a deal for the gym after giving assurances it had the needed financing.
School district officials have said it will cost an estimated $700,000 to demolish the Wigwam complex and mitigate asbestos in the building, which also includes classrooms and offices.
The Wigwam was built in 1962, and the only larger high school gym in the country is the Fieldhouse in New Castle.
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