Writer & Photographer / Andi Robinson
As the student population at Center Grove High School has increased, so has the need for more space for student activities. Center Grove currently has less facility space for student activities compared with several other schools in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC).
At a cost of just under $10 million, the new construction will add 59,500 square feet to the current high school building. A key requirement was that this project not increase taxes for White River Township residents.
The first formal conversations about the creation of this new space occurred in 2015. In addition to the support among the students, staff and parents, the support of the community was crucial.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive from a wide variety of groups,” said Center Grove High School Principal Doug Bird.
This was evident during the remonstrance period for the project, when a majority of residents voted in favor of the new building.
Construction began in August 2016 and has moved along quickly. With much of the main exterior build having been completed through the end of 2016, construction is on pace to open the facility for use by the end of 2017.
When opened, the facility will feature four basketball courts, a track and locker rooms. Variable seating will allow for flexibility for holding a wide range of activities. A new 8,000 square feet weight room will alleviate safety concerns with the amount of students using the current smaller weight room.
It is expected that the facility will be used for many activities by not only students but members of the larger community as well. Some of the Center Grove High School groups that will benefit from this facility include basketball, dance, volleyball, cheerleading and track teams.
The facility will also be able to host everything from the Red Alert robotics team and the band to the ping pong team and school dances. Outside groups like the girls and boys youth basketball programs are likely to utilize the space as well. Space rental will be available to other groups as scheduling permits.
You can learn more by visiting the Center Grove School District website and navigating to the Facilities information.
