A New Place to Soar
BOE opens doors to new gymnasium
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The gymnasium has a seating capacity of 1,240 in the stands with an additional 1,000 seats available when utilizing the basketball court floor space. See additional photos on page 11. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

With the floors shining like a sea of glass, the smell of fresh paint lingering in the air and a magnificent "fighting Eagles" statue welcoming visitors as they entered the lobby, the doors of the new Jenkins County High School (JCHS) gymnasium were opened to the public Sunday afternoon, Feb. 3. The official open house, hosted by the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE), drew a large crowd from the community anxious to see the new facility.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, BOE Chairman Carroll Gay recognized those who had worked on the project: present BOE members, Roy Cook, Vickie Odom, Irene Drummer and Roderick Campbell; former BOE member Bobbye Cobb; Eddie Potts of Lavendar and Associates and Larry Adams, maintenance supervisor for the school system.

Gay commented, "Several years ago JCHS earned the right to host the region basketball tournament, but could not do it because the gymnasium was too small. That will not happen again."

This "fighting Eagles" statue welcomes guests in the lobby of the gymnasium. It was donated by Jim and Karen Pannell in memory of Mrs. Pannell's brother, Bob Bedingfield, a former JCHS student athlete.

The new facility, constructed with Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) revenues, features a stadium with a seating capacity of 1,240 in the stands. An additional 1,000 seats may be added by utilizing the basketball court floor space. A stage area, concession areas, locker rooms, storage areas and office are incorporated into the design.

"We have a great facility. We have something nice for use by all of the citizens of Jenkins County. We ask that you help us keep it that way," Gay said at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Those attending were then allowed to tour the facility

Jenkins County Board of Education members shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Jenkins County High School gymnasium are, from left, Irene Drummer, Roy Cook, Carroll Gay, Roderick Campbell and Vickie Odom. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett) Above left, a raised stage area is incorporated into the floor design of the new JCHS gymnasium. Above right, Large locker rooms are another feature of the facility. At left, the JROTC of Jenkins County High School is shown during the open house of the school's new gymnasium. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)