Published: May 09, 2008 12:26 pm      

Cats have new tracks to lay

Anderson Gymnasium awaits final inspection, will open soon

ASHLAND — School officials are breathing a sigh of relief now that the new floor in the Anderson Gymnasium is finished.

With the end of the school year just around the corner, the gym will be available for graduation if bad weather forces it inside.

Students and visitors will notice some changes in the look of the floor. A maroon block “A, ” resembling the lettering on Ashland football helmets, is painted at center court, replacing the Tomcat emblem that used to be there.

The maple flooring is lighter than before. The out-of-bounds portions of the base lines are maroon with Ashland lettered at each end.

A final inspection was scheduled for today, said Principal Derek Runyon. He anticipates opening the gym next week.

That means physical education classes will move back to the gym from their temporary quarters, he said.

Also the gym now can be used for graduation practice.

Multiple coats of finish make the floor durable enough for general foot traffic, Runyon said.

The contractor, Cincinnati Flooring, completed the project two weeks ahead of time, he said.

Insurance paid most of the approximately $115,000 cost, said Superintendent Phil Eason.

The floor was damaged in February when a tap was left on while the adjacent swimming pool was filling and water overflowed into the gym.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.