In a day, the Williams Township School gym is rubble

It took hours for the old gym at Williams Township School to fall to rubble Monday, with excavator operator Neal Prince moving more quickly than he expected. Don Prince Backhoe and Dump Truck Service owner Cody Prince, early Monday, said taking down the 1936 structure and later additions, including a weight room at the rear where the first demolition swipes took place, would likely extend into Tuesday. Removing the debris is ongoing this week, making way for a nearly $3.6 million replacement, that contract awarded to Tabor City contractor E.A. Duncan Construction in March. Columbus County Schools Plant Operations Director Timothy Ward said Monday that school leaders hope the new building will be complete by next March, though weather could be a factor. School bus parking will move to the old gym location, with the new facility to be oriented differently, and into the current parking area. (Deuce Niven, TLT)