If you’ve walked past the commons lately, or have tried to open the end side of the locker room doors, you’ve probably realized that you cannot enter. This is because, shortly after our winter sports wrapped up in late February, the gym has been closed off due to renovations for new flooring.
Every year during winter break, when all the students and staff members are away from the school, and only the basketball and wrestling teams are utilizing the gym, a crew of workers come in to lay down a fresh coat of polish, leaving the gym with that somewhat strong waxy smell for the first week and a half while also making it look incredibly shiny. This process has been going on for many, many years. Over time, the floor was due to have a change.
Just last summer, North High Alumnus and NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton gifted North’s athletic department with three million dollars.
So far, this money has been used largely on the redoing of the weight room located in the field house, which was done with renovations late last semester. Another large part of that money has been and is being used for renovations of the gym floor.
The last time the school has seen such gym-related renovations dates back to the 1970s, when the school was still finding its footing.
As we move closer to the summer, the construction on the gym floor is still progressing, with hopes to be done before students arrive for the 2026-27 school year. Many are excited to see what the final look will be, while others are excited to get back to the courts.
