PAC sees multi-activities use

Photo by Randy Moll Courtney Brown practices her swing during softball practice inside the new multi-purpose athletic facility on the Gentry High School campus on Jan. 29.
Photo by Randy Moll Courtney Brown practices her swing during softball practice inside the new multi-purpose athletic facility on the Gentry High School campus on Jan. 29.

GENTRY -- Temperatures were below freezing and the wind was blowing on Wednesday of last week, but student athletes at Gentry High School were in T-shirts practicing for upcoming softball and baseball games, wrestling, lifting weights and even getting ready for upcoming track events. How, with the weather so cold? In the new Pioneer Activities Complex.

Softball practice was inside last week, and girls were making use of the new batting cages while others practiced fielding and throwing. At the same time, another group of students were lifting weights upstairs. Wrestling mats were down in another corner, and a lane and standards for practicing the pole vault were in yet another.

A large two-lane batting cage was just completed last week on the north side of the facility. The netted cages were suspended from the ceiling; and, at times of the year when they are not needed, the netting can be put on top of the framework and lifted back up and out of the way for other sporting activities using the field below.

The cages can be used for pitching practice and for batting practice. Other fielding activities can be practiced in the open area of the facility.

With winter weather still upon us, the activities complex has already proven to be a lifesaver for sports practice and physical education classes for the high school and middle school. And with baseball, softball, soccer and track events coming up quickly, the facility just may give coaches and student athletes the edge they need to be ready.

And, come this summer, when weather is less than cooperative or temperatures soar, the facility is expected to see much more use, giving football players a place to practice out of the rain and out of the sun.

Editor's note: For those who haven't seen it, the outside walls of the new concession stand were up last week, the roof framework in place and the roofing going on.

Sports on 02/05/2014