By PSA Newsroom Staff
Manning S.C.– Built in 1954, the old landmark, Weldon Auditorium has seen generations of graduations, concerts, and pageants. Over the years, it’s hosted everything from civic meetings to regional competitions, but after decades of patchwork repairs and the natural wear that comes with age, the building faces another round of major renovations that started in 2025.
Weldon started out as part of old Manning High School, and in 1967, it got its current name and quickly became a mainstay for the community. Fast forward to 2004, and local leaders kicked off a big fundraising drive to bring the aging place back to life, and by the end of 2010, Weldon reopened with a brand new atrium, art corridor, and a bunch of upgrades. People were thrilled.
However, the excitement didn’t last. The renovation work done between 2008 and 2010 covered up some serious construction and waterproofing issues. It didn’t take long for problems to show up, and an engineering report in 2013 found leaks along the walls and roof, and steel supports around the windows were already rusting. Another inspection in 2016 turned up even more trouble, bad roof detailing and flashing from the previous renovation, which only made the water damage worse.
Since then, the county tried a few quick fixes: a partial roof replacement in 2019, some metal coping on the parapet walls in 2020. But the original roof system stayed in place, and the leaks kept coming.
Now, the county’s finally tackling the real problems. In 2025, they launched a full-scale renovation under Project No. ITB 2024-014. The plan? They’ve stripped off the old roof down to the deck and install a proper modern roofing system, replace HVAC units, and moved around the rooftop equipment so everything seals up tight. They also repaired the brickwork, rebuilt parapet walls, rerouting gutters/drains to keep water away, and they’re swapping out exterior siding. Where water has done its worst inside, ceilings, lights, and floors will get repaired or replaced. Construction’s set for eight months started mid-2025.
How much will it cost? The official paperwork doesn’t spell that out, but county financial records show this project is just the latest in a long line of Weldon-related expenses. Back in 2019, Clarendon County issued an enterprise bond worth about $2.25 million to refinance earlier debts tied to capital improvements at Weldon and similar projects. The county’s been paying that off, over $1.8 million in principal and interest, using hospitality tax revenue, not raising property taxes directly. Those payments run through 2039.
Meeting notes and news reports from last year show county officials have gone back and forth about how to pay for ongoing repairs. The big question: should they keep using hospitality tax-backed bonds instead of dipping into the general fund and raising taxes? It’s a debate that keeps coming up, especially as the costs keep adding up.
People around Clarendon aren’t exactly thrilled. Folks are frustrated that a building hailed as “fully restored” just 15 years ago now needs so much more work. Critics call out the original 2008–2010 renovation for not holding up, which led to more taxpayer money being spent on fixes. Sure, officials point out that using bonds and hospitality taxes has kept property tax increases in check, but with the county still on the hook for years of debt payments, Weldon Auditorium remains a pricey commitment for local taxpayers.
As renovations proceed into early 2026, Clarendon County officials have reaffirmed the need to protect the community’s investment and ensure that this round of work finally addresses the core structural and waterproofing issues that have plagued the auditorium for more than a decade.
PSA Newsroom continues to monitor public records and county council discussions on the Weldon Auditorium renovation. For ongoing coverage, follow updates through public procurement filings and Clarendon County fiscal reports.
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