SEARCY, AR (LP) — Searcy Schools are always looking to expand their schools and Ahlf Jr. High School is no different. With the creation of a new gym across the street from the main building. The new building will act as a safe room during tornadoes and other disasters that could hit the school. The building and construction cost at around 3 million dollars but one third of it is paid by a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant. “This grant provides a tornado shelter to our students and the community in the event of a tornado in our area,” says Chris Eubanks principal at Ahlf Jr. High School. It’s good to know that the grant is being used to keep students safe and sound while at school.
Field Day may also change due to the new gym. Principal Eubanks says, “If the gym is complete we may use the gym for field day. We have plans if it is not ready or if there is a reason that we can’t use it.” Coach Long is a Health and PE teacher for the Jr. high and high school. The new gym can help him in his PE classes. Coach Long says, “Assuming it is going to be used for PE. There may be some sports that have practice in it as well as some classes.”
The new gym is going to be made up of solid concrete walls and no studs. The new gym will hopefully be ready by spring or summer this year. Coach Long says, “I think that any new facility to the school district is an asset and will be used efficiently to enhance education and athletics.” The new gym besides from be the newest safe room for the Jr. high will be a definite asset to PE and indoor Jr. high sports teams.
According to Principal Eubanks, “The new gym is designed to withstand an EF5 tornado, which is the strongest rating for tornadoes.” The gym at Vilonia was built as a similar structure, which received a direct hit from a tornado. It destroyed the rest of the school, but the shelter was undamaged except for some caulking that was sucked out by the strong winds. The new gym will be one of the safest structures in the Searcy Schools District. This is where students and staff can gather if there is severe weather announced.
