By Ayla Ozturk
Monday, Redwood High School’s gymnasium reopened after two years of reconstruction. It will fully open on Wednesday, May 10, with a community viewing.
On Monday, May 8, 2023, Redwood High School’s gymnasium partially opened after two years of closure due to reconstruction.
It received several repairs and upgrades, including, but not limited to:
- New flooring
- New bleachers
- Upgrades to the foyer
- New Heating Air Conditioning Ventilation [HVAC] system
- Repairs to roof decay
The completion was delayed several times, one of which was due to vandalism.
According to Redwood Principal Dr. Amanda Richard, the damage was fully repaired.
“The people responsible have been identified and contacted by law enforcement,” Dr. Richard says.
The loss of the gym impacted students, staff, and Redwood as a whole.
Redwood Athletics had to move sports games to the gym at Ridgeview Middle School.
Associated Student Body [ASB] had to plan rallies and other activities to be in the Mineral King Bowl.
Along with the dance room, the locker rooms were shut down for a part of the year.
Physical Education [P.E.] classes had to take place outside. In August and a part of September 2022, temperatures reached triple digits.
ASB President-elect Izek Nelson ’24 reflects on planning one of Redwood’s rallies with no gym.
The Battle of the Classes rally is typically held inside the gym. According to Nelson, it is traditionally a black light event with games students play to earn points for their class.
“ASB had to plan for an outside rally due to the gym being closed,” he says. “ASB spent weeks before the rally coming up with fun [Lunchtime Activity]-style games that each class would compete in for points.”
Redwood’s rallies are held in the gym. With the gym open, rallies can move from the Mineral King Bowl back indoors.
“ASB is so excited for next year to finally have our gym back,” Nelson says. “Because our gym [was] closed for so long, we have to reinstate the traditional Ranger Spirit.”
Micheal Wright is Redwood’s Athletics Director. He says, “It is great to be very close to having things back to normal as well. I am anxious, and I know our teams are anxious as well.”
The gym will fully open on Wednesday, May 10. Redwood will host a public viewing at 6 p.m.
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
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