The steel for the roof of the county’s new event center is now being fabricated and will soon be installed, officially starting the project, said Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert.

Premier Structures Inc. of Athens was awarded a $66,528 contract to replace the roof on the building. The project will be completed in a month, weather permitting, officials said.

“Once the roof is on, we plan to award bids for the heating and cooling system and a sprinkler system,” said Seibert. “We hope the renovation of the warehouse will be completed by late this year.”

The 20,000-square-feet warehouse, located next to the Veterans Museum and Archives off Pryor Street, is to be fully renovated. More than 200 spaces will be available for parking in and around the center once construction is completed.

Seibert said the county plans to pave between the two buildings (veterans museum and event center) and in front of the building.

The building, which will seat approximately 2,000, is a former warehouse for Pilgrim’s Pride. The county paid $130,000 for the building, which the company had been using for storage.

Seibert said commissioners envision the center being used for local trade shows, home and garden shows and many other events. He said the event center would be made available to civic organizations and others to hold community events and concerts.

The county will buy materials needed to renovate the warehouse. Labor will come from volunteers.

County officials said earlier that renovations are expected to cost $370,000.