By CASSANDRA MICKENS / Associate Editor

CHELSEA — The Chelsea City Council Dec. 3 donated $20,000 to two Chelsea schools in need of upgrades.

During its regular meeting, the council unanimously awarded $10,000 to Chelsea High School, $5,000 to the Chelsea High School band, and $5,000 to Chelsea Middle School.

Chelsea High School will use the money for its campaign to repair and update its auditorium, said CHS principal Wayne Trucks. The auditorium was last upgraded in 1992, and has endured some wear and tear, Trucks said.  The CHS band will use its funds to purchase a new xylophone.

Chelsea Middle School will use its funds as part of a $300,000 to $400,000 project to build a new multipurpose athletic building and renovate the school concession stand, said CMS principal Bill Harper.

“This generous donation is a critical first step in the right direction,” said Harper, adding that the project needs approval from the Shelby County Commission and Shelby County Superintendent Randy Fuller before blueprint and construction planning can begin. In addition, CMS must provide proof of city support.

“We’ve been saving for a good five, six years to bring a significant amount to the mortgage table. Once we get [approval], our time frame is a year out,” Harper said.

CMS athletic director Justin Bright said the multipurpose building would not only be used for football, but also cheerleading, dance and wrestling. Bright said the CMS wrestling team currently practices in the school cafeteria.