By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The facelift of the Great Bend High School gymnasium continues. Last summer, district staff covered much of the lower portion of the gym with a coat of bright white paint and new lettering. This summer, staff moved upstairs to paint underneath the bleachers and on the stairs.
"I think it's added some life to the gym," said GBHS Activities Director Matt Westerhaus. "It's a great gym. There are not many gyms like that in Kansas that are built like that these days. There's just a lot of nostalgia, and it's just a great place to play with a lot of history. I think what we've done is just enhanced and upgraded the gym in terms of color scheme."
The goal is to get rid of as much of the old tan color as possible. Gray paint was added beneath the bleachers and on the stairs, and the stair fronts were accented in black.
"You don't want to detract or take away from the gym in any way, shape, or form, so anything we can do to enhance that gymnasium for our players, students, community, the fan experience, it's something you always have discussions about," Westerhaus said. "Hopefully, it's been well-received, and I think it has been. From the people we walk in, when they see that gym, they always have rave reviews and great things to say about it."
One portion of the gym that will remain tan is the ceiling, at least for the time being. Covering that part of the facility would be a large project, and USD 428 is still weighing its options.
"We may try to tackle that at a later time," said Westerhaus. "If you look at Barton County, they went with a black ceiling and we've seen some other places that have gone to a black ceiling. I think it really sets off everything. That would be down the road."
The Lady Panther volleyball team opens its season this Thursday at Garden City. The varsity will host a dual in the newly-painted gym for the first time on Oct. 2, with the varsity tournament following on Oct. 4.