New East gym on hold

Sports

Discussion

July 1, 2009

By Jean Cole The News Courier Wed Jul 01, 2009, 07:14 PM CDT

Construction of a new, competition gymnasium at East Limestone High School is on hold until Limestone County Schools can raise more money to build it, an official said.

“Bids for the replacement came in about $1 million higher than expected,” said Principal Dennis Black. “So, we are kind of in a holding pattern.”

School board members agreed in October to set aside $3.5 million to build the new gym this summer. It will replace the old middle school gym that was condemned by the state fire marshal last year. The school also has another newer gym.

Black, the head of the county’s largest school — about 1200 students — must now figure out how to schedule gym class for sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth-graders, who are required to take gym, as well as many 10th, 11th and 12th-graders who choose to take gym.

“We will survive without the new gym, but it would be easier if we had it,” Black said.

The schools plan to build a competition-size gymnasium where the “old red barn” once stood. Plans include a basement that will hold weight-lifting equipment and two partitioned classrooms. A competition gym is one large enough to host tournaments with visiting teams, dressing rooms, bleachers, storage and concessions.

Board members discussed building a more modest gym last year but opted for the larger gym because the population at East High, along with its feeder school Creekside Elementary, is increasing annually. Board members also determined that a larger gym would be more prudent for commencement and other activities.

Black said Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll, a supporter of building the competition gym, is trying to come up with more money so construction can begin. It is not a good time to find money. Lower-than-expected tax revenue last year forced the state to cut the amount of money it had promised schools in Limestone County and throughout the state. The same problem, known as proration, could occur again in 2010.

Carroll could not be reached for comment on his efforts Wednesday.

Text Only

Sports

Azarenka survives in first round of French Open
The Australian Open champion, who took over the No. 1 ranking by winning in Melbourne, struggled for long stretches but came back to beat Alberta Brianti of Italy 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-2.

May 28, 2012
Dynamic duo leads Miami back to Eastern finals
With another season on the brink, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James took their two-man game to new heights.

May 25, 2012
Tanner student shows there is more to sports than winning
Sporting events aren’t always about winning.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
David Segui says he was told of Clemens 'darts'
The jury hearing the Clemens perjury trial will have to assume that "darts" means "needles."

May 24, 2012
Former baseball player David Segui called in Clemens case
Prosecutors want to question him about a conversation in which Clemens' trainer is said to have told Segui he had saved needles.

May 24, 2012
Tuberville business partner indicted for fraud
The Alabama Securities Commission says John David Stroud is accused of misusing more than $5 million in investor funds and stealing more than $500,000 from his clients.

May 23, 2012
Astrodome fades, crumbles as Houston decides fate
One option could be a fate that other domes have met in recent times — demolition.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Elephant and pig tapped to predict Euro 2012 games
Who's going to win the European Championship? Time to ask an elephant — or a pig.

May 22, 2012
Born to run barefoot? Some end up getting injured
May 22, 2012
Alabama fan pleads not guilty to sex charges
Brian H. Downing, 32, of Smiths Station, Ala., was arraigned on one count each of sexual battery of a male victim and obscenity.

May 21, 2012
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

New East gym on hold

Will your family take a summer vacation this year?

Site Map

Contact Us