This summer and fall, the Graham Middle School gymnasium went through an update renovation. This project saw the following updates: Repainting of the bottom half, repainting of the metal door jambs, replacement of the wall padding, new logo installation, replacing or refurbishing emergency lighting/alarm coverings, installation of a new and larger American flag, and replacement of the air return grille. The total cost of the project was $20,838.03.
This project was not possible without several donations. Graham Youth Basketball made a donation of $5,000. The Graham Middle School Student Council made a donation of $3,000. An anonymous donor provided $100 for the new, larger flag and the frame it is mounted on.
The Athletic Department provided $1,355. Only $2,019.67 came from the Graham Local Schools facilities fund. The remaining balance of $9,363.36 was covered by the Graham Middle School Principal’s fund, which gains funds through various small fundraisers such as picture sales. We have intentionally saved funds over the years in order to take on a major facilities project such as this which serves all our students on a daily basis, in a great space that they deserve for class and competition.
Our gym is a very visible and highly used area within the district as it is used for many sporting events at both the middle and elementary level, as well as the occasional high school level open gym and practices. Due to high use, and the building being built now 25 years ago we have seen needed repairs. Of the prior 23 wall pads, 18 had rips or tears. These old pads have been given to the GHS baseball team to have in their indoor practice space to protect walls. The vinyl lettering to commemorate the Steve Fine Memorial Gymnasium was brittle and peeling. The logo on the floor had not been updated to show the new logo that has been in place for over a decade now. The air return grille was broken in multiple locations. New paint on the walls was well overdue.
The project gave us the opportunity to not only update, but also upgrade. Our new wall safety pads have been extended an additional 16 feet under each main hoop, and there are graphics embedded in them. New paint provided a cleaner look and allowed us to add some color to the dull appearance there previously.
One goal was to also continue the legacy of the late Steve Fine, to whom the gym was dedicated, nearly 25 years ago. Now, his name and quote “Class is hard to define, but easy to see” is embedded into the pads and front and center for all in the bleachers to see and reflect on Mr. Fine as a person and the impact of those words.
A special thanks goes out to our donors for making this dream a possibility. Also to Mrs. Wilcoxon, and our Maintenance team for their work to prep the space and save money by taking on various parts of the project. Finally we thank Mr. Lensman, Mr. Burley, and Mr. Milligan for their support and to Mr. Guidera for providing the vision, project management, and completion of projects himself to save on cost.