DECATUR -- The new Decatur Middle School gym is less than a month away from completion and coaches, athletes, teachers and fans are excited about competing in the new air-conditioned facility for the first time, possibly as early as mid-October.
Throughout the summer months over the past 20 years, basketball teams had to contend with the stifling heat during off-season practice and summer league play at Peterson Gym, which has no air-conditioning. Factor in the new volleyball program's practice sessions and home matches and it made for very uncomfortable conditions in the facility, which dropped attendance for many of the home games.
During the regular meeting of the Decatur School Board, superintendent Steve Watkins reported that once the floor is sanded and sealed, the gym will be ready in time for the Decatur Lady Bulldog volleyball team to hold its final home matches in the new facility.
This match will be the last time seniors Desi Meek and Mckinzee Swaim will compete before a home crowd. For Meek, who is the last of the original members of the first team and this year's captain, this game caps off a four-year commitment to the Lady Bulldog volleyball team and Decatur High School.
But one element that will be missing during the first game in the new gym is the bleachers. The permanent bleachers are scheduled for installation in late October. For now, spectators will be seated in chairs on the west side of the new gym.
Once installed, the facility will enable future volleyball and basketball teams to practice without conflicting with other programs, eliminating overcrowding at Peterson Gym.
General News on 09/26/2018