If your children go to school at Bobby Ray Elementary, play elementary basketball, or are a fan who has attended a Jaycee game this season, you might have noticed the old gym has received a facelift.
With a new sign bearing a patriotic name of Spc. Jeremy L. Brown, a Warren County native who sacrificed all for our freedom, there’s new hardwood shining bright under new lights. The almost-new gym was being tested recently by visiting teams West Elementary and Morrison in 5-6 grade basketball action.
Like the smell of a new car, a brand new concession stand was selling hotdogs and popcorn across the hall and the score was being tallied on a new scoreboard bearing a familiar logo of Dr Pepper and Sun Drop. The project took shape when the students went on summer break until the end of September and School Board officials are delighted as are the students, teachers and athletes who get to use it.
“It was a complete rebuild,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox. “Now it’s one of our larger gyms and it turned out really nice. We’re happy with it.”
Cox commented it was a combined effort involving the County Commission, School Board and the community.
“The original plan was to use the old Irving College scoreboard,” Cox said. “But they really needed a new one so we used the Irving College scoreboard for the auxiliary gym at the high school and got a new one for Bobby Ray.”
Also included in the project was a complete painting of the gym, new bathroom facilities, and bleachers.
“I hope it has a very long life,” said Cox.
There will an open house for interested persons after Christmas break when, if all goes right, the new backboards will be in place.