Builders are invited to museum info session

Contractors, trades people, suppliers and other vendors from Alleghany County and the region are invited to learn more about potential work that will be available with construction of the Sparta Teapot Museum. A drop-in reception has been scheduled for March 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Sparta.

Hosted by the Sparta Teapot Museum board of directors and Rodgers

Builders, general contractor for the museum project, the reception will be held at the Blue Ridge Business Development Center (formerly the Bassett-Walker building) on Atwood Street.

Jonathan Halsey, museum project manager, encourages any firm or individual interested in learning more about subcontracting and specialty project opportunities as part of the museum construction to attend the March 8 meeting.

“It will be really informal, and it will give everyone an opportunity to learn more about the construction project and meet the key people with Rodgers Builders, as well as the museum board and staff,” Halsey said.

“There will be many, many opportunities for suppliers and vendors of construction materials and landscaping products and for contractors and trades people interested in being part of the construction team,” added David Page, senior vice president for business development with Rodgers Builders.

Rodgers Builders of Charlotte was selected as general contractor for the Sparta Teapot Museum Feb. 6. Halsey said the general contractor “shares the board’s goal to involve as many local subcontractors and suppliers as possible, and the March 8 reception is the first step in developing these relationships.”

Halsey said that Rodgers Builders brings museum construction experience to the Sparta project. “Rodgers has completed more than a dozen project designed by Jenkins-Peer Architects, the museum’s architectural firm, so there is already a good working relationship there,” he added. Rodgers was general contractor for the recent expansion and renovation at Alleghany Memorial Hospital.

“The success they had in working with local subcontractors on this local project was also a factor in the board’s decision,” Halsey explained.

In its 42-year history, Rodgers has built its reputation not only in health care construction but in community-based projects such as museums and one-of-a-kind facilities, Page said. Rodgers built the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, which hosted part of the Kamm teapot collection in “The Artful Teapot” exhibit in 2004.

When completed and open to the public, the Sparta Teapot Museum is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors to Sparta each year.

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