The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved paying Don Mintz Builders LLC $15,000 to construct an addition on the Saluda Center.

Commissioners met Monday, Aug. 19 and unanimously approved paying to have the center’s addition put into the dry. The enclosure of the deck will be 36 ft. by 28 ft., with part of the construction to remove the existing handrails, installing walls, windows, a door and vinyl siding.

Commissioners decided to pay Mintz directly and to take the money from the manager’s discretion fund. The county was first asked during budget discussions in May to help pay to fix damage to the deck of the Saluda Center.

Saluda Center chair Karen Bultman approached the county asking for help and explained that damage to the deck occurred because when the deck was first constructed it was built with untreated wood. The center had intended to enclose the deck for additional space.

The total estimate to enclose the deck is approximately $50,000.

Commissioners last month decided they would pay to put the enclosure in the dry and the Saluda Center could handle finishing the addition with interior construction such as electric and plumbing.