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“Old Gym” at GBHS West Campus Sees New Life

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Crews work at the old gym in late November.
Project completion is expected in February 2019.
Work has begun on the renovation of the gym at Grand Blanc High School’s West Campus. Once the main gymnasium for Grand Blanc High School, the gym has been identified as underutilized. The Strategic Plan that guides Grand Blanc through 2023 has outlined athletic facility revitalization and the examination of repurposing space that is not being used to its full potential. This project checks both those boxes.

The Grand Blanc Athletic Foundation (GBAF) is assisting with funding for the project, which will include replacing the entire gym floor with artificial turf. Fundraising began with the collection of parking fees for the Ally Challenge Golf Tournament in September. The Athletic Foundation now seeks private and corporate donors to fund this and other athletic facility projects. Donations are tax-deductible through their 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Future areas of focus include; the installation of artificial turf on Frank Thomas field, updates to high school aquatic facilities, the resurfacing of tennis courts at GBHS, and enhancements to Don Batchelor soccer field facilities.

Grand Blanc Community Schools will also be requesting a Sinking Fund Renewal in 2019 and a Zero-Increase Bond approval from voters in 2020. Both would be necessary for larger-scale athletic facility improvements that are identified in the Strategic Plan.

Superintendent Clarence Garner said, “I think everyone that uses them know some of our athletic facilities need some attention. Our facilities and maintenance departments do an amazing job of keeping things clean and well-kept, but there are definitely some areas that need more major construction going forward.”

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gympic2In the old gym tucked in the lower level of West campus, giant sections of bleachers have been removed, as have basketball hoops. Construction crews will strip away all the existing “gymnasium” equipment to make way for a wide-open turfed practice space for use in inclement weather. The school anticipates many groups and teams will be able to take advantage of the new indoor “field”, including soccer, baseball, marching band, color guard, lacrosse, and physical education classes. There will be no designated lineage on the turf, making it versatile for many different activities. Crews anticipate the job will be completed by February 2019.

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