The new gymnasium project at Brantley School is one step closer to beginning.

The Crenshaw County Board of Education on Monday approved McKee and Associates as the architect for the project and the firm will now begin developing real plans for the building.

Superintendent Randy Wilkes said the topiary had been conducted and the geotechnical as well on the proposed area near the football field in which they hope to build the new facility.

Additionally, the board voted to declare the annex building on the south end of campus surplus, if it needs to be moved for the project.

In December, the board secured a $1.7 million loan from Crenshaw County banks to pay for the project.

Wilkes said at the time the payment would be around $12,000 monthly for the estimated 700-person seating capacity facility.

Previously, the board heard from architect Walter McKee of McKee and Associates, who showed them plans and photographs of the inside and outside of the Billingsley High School gym, which seats 800 people and would cost in the $1.6 million range, and included a brick and metal façade, vaulted ceilings, durable toilets and conglomerate sinks.

Initially, talks were to construct the gym in the area between the cafeteria, field house and high school building, but has since changed to the south end of campus either in the current parking lot, which would be located behind the home stands, or in the location of the gravel parking lot near the early childhood building.