Doors Open for Debut Doubleheader at New Gym

The lady Owls on Thursday evening christened the $15 million gym/community center at as they took on Norristown. The boys varsity squad finished up the debut doubleheader tipping off against .

The 45,000 square-foot structure will see its formal dedication at noon Saturday, a ceremony that will include three alumni games.

The spacious new digs feature a three-court spectator gym with stands that can seat 1,700 people below an elevated track. In addition to basketball, the gym will be used for wrestling, volleyball, track and classes.

It's big enough, district officials have said, for the entire student class of about 1,900 and could even be used for graduation in the event of inclement weather.

The project was largely funded with $10 million from a 2007 $30 million school district bond. The township, which was looking to build a community center, added $2 million of its own money and obtained another $2 million in the form of a state grant.

Ground was broken in July 2009 and district officials were planning a grand opening this past summer. But HVAC equipment arrived more than seven months late from Jordan, according to district officials. And then water got into the building during August storms, causing about $240,000 worth of damage and prompting the replacement of a section of the floor.

Asked Thursday evening if he wondered whether the opening would ever take place, facilities director Bob Mosely joked, “I knew the day would come. I just wondered if I'd still be around to see it.”