FORT MILL, S.C. (WBTV) - A piece of Fort Mill history is getting a new purpose: The former Praise the Lord theme park’s Pyramid building on Regent Parkway has been purchased by Laurel College of Technology.
The school plans to turn the building into a new campus. It’s been part of Fort Mill for a while and now Laurel College wants to fill it with students.
If you live in Fort Mill or grew up in the area, chances are you’ve heard of the Praise the Lord, or PTL, theme park. It was started by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Some of its buildings have sat empty for years.
“I hope that they take down the big tower block that’s been there forever,” said Fort Mill resident Carrie Miller.
Miller is referring to one of the most recognizable buildings, Heritage Tower.
Just down the road is another familiar building, the Pyramid. It was once part of the PTL theme park, then the headquarters for Laura Ashley.
Now, it’s recently been sold to Laurel College of Technology for more than $2.6 million.
“I thought the architecture of the building was unique and would provide a good learning environment,” said Dr. Douglas Decker, the school’s chief operating officer.
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Laurel College already has a campus on Patricia Lane in Fort Mill, where it offers career and technical programs. The new campus will expand those opportunities, including skilled trades and health care programs like practical nursing, cardiovascular technology, and respiratory therapy.
“I think it’s a good idea that the college comes in. It’s been empty for a long time ... I think it probably needs some work doing to it,” Miller said.
Medical needs are growing in the area, and Laurel College already has a lot of the equipment that it needs. However, expanding could mean even more student training for some of the jobs that South Carolina needs the most.
“You know we’re seeing in York County a lot of growth with our healthcare providers, adding new facilities,” Dr. Decker said.
In 2023 and 2024, York County had about 4% of South Carolina’s physicians and 3% of its registered nurses, according to the state’s Area Health Education Consortium.
Laurel College says it wants to help fill some of those jobs.
“We try to find where can we be a little piece of the puzzle and plug in and support the workforce, support the employers, and give good value to our students and graduates,” said Dr. Decker.
Laurel College expects to open its new campus in 2027, once renovations and permits are complete.