MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — Construction crews discovered a cave while working on the site of the future Horace Maynard Middle School last week.
Union County Schools Director Greg Clay said the construction team was digging a trench for the storm water line near the corner of the football field when they discovered the void. He said a hole opened in the rock at the bottom of the trench and engineers are working to determine next steps.
Clay said it is unknown if the discovery will cause any delays.
Union County leaders broke ground on the new facility for Horade Maynard Middle School in early September. County leaders said the total cost of the project is more than $41 million.
This is the first major construction project in the county since Paulette Elementary was built in 2010.
Horace Maynard Middle School was originally built in 1950. New wings were added in the 60s and 70s, but it remained untouched.
Their principal, Toby Kilgore, said there are challenges to the small and aging building, including only having three bathrooms for 650 middle school students.
The new school, designed by Lewis Group Architects, will be 125,000 square feet, with room for 850 students, and infrastructure to support growth.
The school will have a courtyard, media center, and cafeteria. Other amenities for extracurriculars and sports include a football field and a softball and baseball field.
Kilgore said currently, students have to bus to different areas to get to their extracurricular and sports activities. He said this new school opens opportunities.
The project is expected to be complete ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
