Two high schools set to build new gyms

Merced and Atwater high schools are set to build new gymnasiums to accommodate their growing student populations, using funds from a new series of bonds being issued as well as a refinancing effort.

Merced Union High School District expects to attain $17 million by refinancing a prior bond series and issuing a new series allowed through Measure M, a proposal approved by voters in 2008 to pay for school facilities. That money will be used to build the new gyms, which will cost about $7.5 million each, said Alan Peterson, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and chief business officer.

Construction is scheduled to begin in spring of 2016 and wrap up in a year or less, Peterson said.

Each gym will be about 25,000 square feet and include 2.5 basketball practice courts, three volleyball practice courts, maple floors, two restrooms, two offices for coaches, a weight room and two team rooms. The gyms will seat about 1,800 for athletic events and 2,300 for school rallies.

The gym at Merced High will be built where three tennis courts now stand and will be visible from G Street. Atwater’s gym will be built behind the school’s existing gym.

Both high schools were built in 1959, and the gyms no longer can house all of the students. More than 1,700 students attend each school.

John Olson, Merced High’s principal, said in a news release that the design of the new gyms will feature mezzanine-style seating and will have locker rooms and team rooms.

Measure M funds have been used to build El Capitan High School; Veterans Stadium and a new pool at Golden Valley High; a new pool at Buhach Colony High; and a new gym and fields at Livingston High.

This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Two high schools set to build new gyms."