In May, the Thomaston-Upson School System opened the Upson-Lee Agriculture Center, an 18,848-square-foot facility that includes a 10,155-sf climate-controlled show arena with artificial turf, an 8,693-sf holding area that can accommodate 75-80 animals, student project housing, restrooms, dressing rooms, and concessions.  

According to Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico, “From 2002 to present, we have worked with many gifted and talented professionals at MSSA-PBK, and each has given us an unmatched dedication to the project at hand. With the Upson-Lee Agriculture Center, as with every other project, MSSA-PBK listened to the stakeholders and allowed us to be a part of the design process. They took our vision, our ideas, and designed a facility that supports our district goals for the growth and development of agriculture education; a facility that reflects the character of our schools; and a facility that fulfills the needs of our school and community stakeholders.” 

Dr. Derico continued, “Since opening in May, our greater community has embraced the use of this facility for evening and weekend events that sometimes have nothing to do with agriculture and agriculture education. However, we love the fact that our mission and our vision shine through at every event…guests are always in awe of the design but also of the flexibility of use for this school facility.”