Gym restoration nearing completion

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The inside of Peterson Gym looking south towards the new main entrance (center) on July 8. The trophy cases to the left of the entrance will be placed along the wall next to the outside picture window in between the main doors. The rail will separate the players from fans.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The inside of Peterson Gym looking south towards the new main entrance (center) on July 8. The trophy cases to the left of the entrance will be placed along the wall next to the outside picture window in between the main doors. The rail will separate the players from fans.

DECATUR -- Over the past four months, Decatur High School's Peterson Gym has undergone a much-needed transformation. Within the next month, the work will be completed and the Decatur basketball and volleyball programs will have a new and exciting home.

The biggest change to the facility is the heat and air-conditioning unit.

In years past during the late spring and summer months, conditions in Peterson Gym were unbearable at times during days of extreme heat and little ventilation -- so much so that some events had to be moved either to the middle school gym or another venue.

But now Peterson will be much more comfortable for sporting events, concerts and school assemblies throughout the coming school years.

Another change to the gym is the new scoreboard and shot clock. The new scoreboard was shifted about 10 feet to the north of its old position on the west wall. But the one system that is new to the gym is the shot clock.

Players, coaches and fans will be watching this new clock which is suspended above the backboard in its support structure.

The National Federation of State High School Associations implemented the use of the 35-second shot clock beginning with the 2022-23 basketball season.

This new rule will make the game fast-paced and more exciting.

Several items are still left to complete before Peterson Gym is finished, including painting the floors in the main walkways, installing new lockers, putting exterior metal panels on the roof, and doing exterior painting.

photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Looking to the east wall, the Peterson gym project at Decatur High School nears completion on July 8. The new shot clock is in place above the main game goal (center), as well as a newly resurfaced basketball court.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The west wall of Peterson Gym shows the new viewing windows, scoreboard and shot clock above the main goal post. The project is scheduled to be complete by the end of July, prior to the opening of the 2022-23 sports season.