Auxiliary Gym Nearing Completion
Every morning when you pull into school, you probably see an unfinished building on the left. Most students have already found out that this is our new auxiliary gym. While you may know what this building is, there are still many questions remaining. Recently, Director of Pupil Personnel Josh McKeel and Superintendent Tres Settle shared information with the Laker Review about the completion of the auxiliary gym.
The most pressing question is, “When will this gym be finished?” McKeel and Settle shared that they are hoping to have this project completed by the middle of December, but delays in the supply chain as well as workforce constraints have resulted in several setbacks that have delayed this project.
The earliest the gym is projected to be finished is the beginning of January 2023. When asked about how long construction has been on the gym, they responded saying the gym has been in the building process for a little over a year, but the planning began nearly two years ago. When asked about the main uses of the gym, they responded saying this will help with space control and keep more courts open for activities.
According to the school leaders, this gym’s primary use is “For volleyball, with the volleyball court on the main floor stained darker than the outer perimeter of the main basketball floor; much like we see the current area darker inside the 3-point line on our basketball courts in the existing middle school and high school gyms.” The advantages of this new addition are the extra space the auxiliary gym brings, but this gym can be used to host events and tournaments. With the extra space, we will be able to host activities in this gym and generate income.
When asked if gym class will be held in this gym from now on, they responded saying gym class will not be held in this gym as of right now, but plans can change. The Auxiliary gym can also be used for things such as assemblies or other activities during the school day. When asked about signing up to use the gym, they responded that, “There will be a working calendar for scheduling events and each request for use will be considered and approved by administration with input from high school, middle school, and central office personnel.”
Mr. Settle and Mr. McKeel asked The Laker Review staff to inform the student body that, “Once the building is completed, we will host an open-house event for stakeholders to come out and see this exciting new asset for our school and community.” They went on to state, “Our students at the high school and the middle school will have the first opportunity to tour the facility once completed.” If anyone would like to see the new gym, it will be accessible when the project is finished.
