Construction started on Warden gym

WARDEN - Construction crews started renovating Warden High School's gym Thursday.

The $2.3 million project is the first phase of a two-part project approved in 2009 with a $2.5 million levy.

The first phase involves renovations of the gym, including adding four new locker rooms, and installing a new gym floor, bleachers and ceilings. The crews are also gutting the foyer area, adding two new bathrooms, concession area and lobby, Superintendent Sandra Sheldon said.

"In addition to that, we will also be increasing our storage space," she said. "We're real excited about the whole thing ... We'll be putting in a new (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. The gym has never had air conditioning and in graduation, in June everyone wished it did."

The gym was originally constructed in 1964, and Sheldon said it needed renovation, pointing out the floor had problems.

"The locker rooms had some mold issues," she said. "It had some health and safety issues that really needed to be taken care of."

Crews started asbestos removal on March 7, and the district received clearance Thursday to start the project, Sheldon said.

"We started the demolition of the locker rooms today," she said. "The gym floors and ceiling have all been removed."

The project is expected to take until the middle of August, Sheldon said. The district is still waiting for the state Legislature to decide on the release of school construction funds for the second part of the project - renovating the cafeteria building.

"It's a wonderful thing for our community," she said. "They've known for many years the gym has been in disrepair, so we're really appreciative to voters for funding this. The icing on the cake is we had a donor give money to have a life-size cougar statue outside of the gym."