The Mount Vernon Booster Club (MVBC) plans a $200,000 donation to renovate the middle school gym with a refurbished floor, upgraded bleachers, and installation of new shot clocks.
Mount Vernon athletic director Matt Thede says with double-headers now scheduled for boys and girls conference basketball games, the upgrade will have a great impact.
“We can utilize two gyms on the same night and really leverage and synergize the crowds that want to actually watch both teams play instead of having to choose,” said Thede. “It’s a bold project with big payoffs for our kids.”
According to Thede the facility is broadly used by the Mount Vernon school and community. Outside of basketball and volleyball games and wrestling meets, the gym is home to daily middle school physical education classes. Different groups use district gyms including cheer, color guard, band, science Olympiad, a flying club and even a kindergarten circus.
Middle school principal Bob Haugse underscores the gym’s multipurpose use. “We have a lot of hardworking kids that do a lot of great things and it’s nice to have facilities that reflect that.” Haugse said students will definitely appreciate the transformation.
“In other (communities) sometimes the middle school and elementary needs go unnoticed, but I think our booster club does a great job of noticing all of our facilities and updating them as needed,” Haugse said.
After the MVBC worked to contribute $75,000 to help complete the Martha Parsons and Family Activities Complex (MAC), president Josh Rife says the club wanted to broaden its impact.
“I think the idea of building towards a bigger project was something that really excited people,” explained Rife. Discussions at meetings led to a five-year wish list that included updates to the middle school gym.
“I can remember those bleachers from when I was a kid; they might be the original installation. It’s time to upgrade,” chuckled Rife.
Scheduled for the summer of 2025, renovations will be funded entirely by the MVBC. Specific plans for the project include work to match the recently refinished high school gym floor, creating a better playing surface. Planners say modern and ADA-compliant seating will slightly decrease capacity in the gym but improve bleacher accessibility and operation. Additionally, shot clocks are required for upcoming conference games now scheduled there.
Because the club wants to continue to support district athletic teams as they always have, Rife says MVBC will work to generate additional funds, “We plan to increase revenue sources to set aside about $50,000 a year for this project.”
Club strategy is to expand current methods like Mustang Vision sponsorships and youth sports tournaments while adding new events like a community kickball tournament and Meet the Team nights before each athletic season.
“We’re so appreciative of everything that this community does,” explains Rife. “Instead of just asking for a donation, we’d really like to have a product or an event that townspeople can participate in while also raising money.”
“The booster club’s support is incredible,” Thede remarked. “They’re raising significant funds for all of our kids, and I hope people see the work being done and are encouraged to give or volunteer their time.”