Barclay Elementary School students no longer need to be bused to neighboring schools for physical education classes - their new gymnasium is complete. On March 9 students and staff celebrated the grand opening of the gym. The construction was part of the $19.1 million capital project approved by voters in 1998. Students held banners and marched into the gym to the song "Rocky," which played over the loud speakers. Physical education teachers Woody VanDenburg and Mary Lou Blodgett kicked off the celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The students let out a big "hip hip hooray" and the party began. The new gym is nearly twice as large as the old one and the ceiling is 12 feet higher. There is a full basketball court and three regulation-size volleyball courts. Blodgett and VanDenburg are looking forward to being able to do more activities with the students. "It was well worth the wait," said Blodgett. "The students were really patient and it was nice to see their faces and hear their comments as they walked into their new gym. |
