Philomath Middle School’s gymnasium floor will be resurfaced for the first time since the 1990s through a $37,000 project set to take place mostly over the holiday break.
Rick Bennett, eighth-grade boys basketball coach, spearheaded the initiative after noticing the floor’s deteriorating condition.
“Rick came to me with this idea last spring,” PMS Principal Steve Bell said. “It went through a process of getting bids and all of the costs associated and timing, and we got approval to move forward with this project.”
Over the past three-plus decades, the floor has been cleaned and varnished numerous times, which has eventually led to a slicker surface. Lines on the court that were once white and blue now have a yellow and greenish appearance from years of varnish buildup.
“It tends to be slippier than you would think,” Bell said, clarifying that it’s not dangerous to use. “The gym floor should be a little tacky — that would be a good way to describe it. It’s just a little more slick. Then there’s spots where the varnish has peeled up.”
The project will begin Dec. 18 and is expected to be ready for students by the time they return from winter break on Jan. 5. Students will still be on campus Dec. 18-19, but arrangements will be made for physical education classes on those two days.
Courtsports, a company that has worked with college and pro sports organizations, has been hired for the project, which will include sanding, painting, sealing and finishing. Bennett had worked with Courtsports in the past to refinish floors in group exercise rooms at fitness clubs he operated.
Bennett said the contractor estimated that the sanding portion of the project will take four or five days, which represents the biggest part of the job. The floor will then need to cure before use.
“They weren’t available this summer and so we got to this December,” Bell said about the timing. “We need to have a large window of time where it was the least disruptive.”
Along with the school’s physical education classes, the gym is used extensively by the Philomath Youth Activities Club for volleyball and basketball and Living Faith Community Church for its services. Bell said there is also a group that rents out the gym three days a week for recreational basketball.
Plus, the gymnasium is used for school assemblies throughout the academic year. The church meets in the gym on Sundays.
“We’ve got them another place to use during that window of time,” Bell said. “They’ll use Clemens Primary School … that’s the only activity happening during the break so December actually worked out really well.”
The project cost has been estimated at nearly $37,000. The school is trying to raise $18,500 with the promise of a match out of Philomath School District’s operations and maintenance fund. The organizers hope to actually raise more than the $18,500 that could go toward the purchase of needed products to keep it in top shape or to use as contingency funds if the project runs over budget.
To contribute, the webpage has been set up with information and a donation link. Or, checks can be dropped off at the middle school’s office (2021 Chapel Drive).
“I’m excited not just for basketball but for volleyball and PE classes — it’s really going to be a benefit,” Bennett said.
