Use of gyms concerns some
Managing editor
When something is new, everyone wants to use it but sometimes it isn’t the best thing to do.
Such is the case with the new USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center.
A brand new, beautiful basketball court was built and everyone wants to play on it but aren’t allowed.
According to USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker, there is no set policy regarding the use of the new gym.
“Our philosophy is the same as other league schools,” Leiker said. The better facility is reserved for the high school teams.
“We want the middle school teams to look forward to playing in the new gym,” Leiker said.
The other factor which restricts use of the facility is the fact the gym floor is new.
“We want to protect the floor. It doesn’t have a finish on it yet,” he said, which takes a few years to have a protective surface.
So, what about the USD 408 Recreation Commission games? Should those players be allowed to use the sports center and where can they practice when the school district is using the other two facilities?
“Margo (Yates) does a great job in taking care of our facilities but we have to be careful that only certain kinds of shoes are allowed on the new floor,” Leiker said, and it follows the same philosophy of the younger players practicing and playing in the older gyms, leaving the new gym for high school.
As far as parent and REC basketball coach Dan Baldwin is concerned, the new facility isn’t being utilized sufficiently.
“There are several basketball teams who need a place to practice,” he said.
Baldwin said he isn’t insistent the REC teams use the new gymnasium but rather middle school teams be allowed to use the new gym and Florence, which would free-up the other two gyms for REC practice and games.
So, who plays where?
According to Tod Gordon, USD 408 Activities Director, the teams take turns practicing and playing on the different courts.
There are four practice basketball courts available to the school district — USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center, Marion Middle School Gym (the former MHS gym), Marion Elementary School Gym, and a gym at Florence, now owned by the City of Florence but available to the school district as needed.
With the availability of the new gymnasium, teams do not travel to Florence as much.
“We’ve cut those trips in half,” Leiker said.
Middle school teams always practice at the gyms at MES or MMS. The boys and girls high school teams take turns practicing at the new facility.
Gordon said both MHS teams practiced Monday in the new gym because there were two middle school games.
“Typically, one middle school team will play at home and the other travels,” Gordon said. However, both middle school teams played at home Monday night.
A similar situation will occur Thursday when MHS hosts a home wrestling meet at the new gym. MMS girls’ team will use the MMS gym, the MMS boys’ team will travel, one high school team will practice at MES, and the other at Florence.
Gordon agreed the maintenance of the gym floors is important.
“We’re just starting to build a finish on the new gym floor. Until you get a couple of years’ of finish on it, it’s susceptible to damage. We don’t want water or beverages on it.”
Typically the gym floors are finished once a year. However, the former MHS gym, now referred to as the MMS gym, will be refinished every 18 months since it isn’t used as much.
The MES and new gym floors were refinished this past summer. Crews refinished the MMS gym floor during Christmas break.
Baldwin said he understands the need to preserve the new gym but would like to see the gym more accessible to the public.
“I do understand what they’re trying to do but it isn’t realistic,” he said. And he is aware of times when coaches are trying to find a location for their teams to practice and only two of three gyms are available.
“I understand the new gym being a show-place. Then use it for middle school and high school games which would free-up other gyms for REC and other games,” Baldwin said. “While I’m scrambling around trying to find a place to practice, the new gym is available.”