McKenzie Middle School Gym Receives Major Upgrade of Seating, Flooring

McKENZIE (July 21) — Within a period of under one week, the entire playing surface of the McKenzie Middle School gymnasium was removed, its base floor repaired, all new playing surface was installed, sanded and stained, and new decals were added.

The McKenzie Board of Education voted in November 2024 to spend $95,900 to replace the entire playing surface of the McKenzie Middle School Gymnasium to correct 11 weak (dead) spots in the 71-year-old floor.. Another $4,000 was approved to install volleyball lines and sleeves for the volleyball program that begins when school begins in August.

CQT Flooring-Willie Trevathan of Martin was the contractor on the project.

The gymnasium was once the home court of McKenzie Junior High, McKenzie High School and Bethel University - until the year 1970, when Baker Fieldhouse on the campus of then Bethel College was first opened.

Many McKenzie alumni graduated in the gymnasium, and many others also played basketball there.

Bobby Young and Brad Camp of the McKenzie High School Alumni Association were on hand Wednesday to salvage floor boards as they were removed. The organization will use the boards in some capacity yet to be determined.

Additionally, new wooden bleachers were installed in the MMS Gymnasium during the summer. The new bleachers add approximately 150 seats, including six new handicap-accessible spots, which brings the total capacity to approximately 350. The new seating will become the home side, and team benches and the scoring table will move to the opposite side.

Volleyball will begin as a fall sport at MHS, competing in TSSAA Division I, Class A, Region 6, District 12, alongside Clarksburg, Decatur Co. Riverside, Huntingdon, Jackson Central-Merry, Madison Academic Magnet, and West Carroll. Jordan Jowers, an MHS teacher, was named head coach. Practice officially begins July 28. MMS volleyball will be a spring sport with local match scheduling. Equipment has been purchased through district funds, with additional sponsorships and fundraising planned.

Fixtures for the volleyball nets will be installed before school resumes.

Other renovations and additions at the school district include: new exterior doors at MMS, a new roof at McKenzie High School, and a new outdoor classroom equipped with restrooms at MHS. The restrooms will be available to serve teams and visitors during soccer matches at MHS. Additionally, drainage problems were corrected on the campus at McKenzie Elementary School.