Contractors have now begun work on the gym renovation, and spring sports are adjusting their practices during the closure. 

The $5-6 million renovation project, funded through voter-approved money left over from the elementary school construction projects, is scheduled to be finished in early September, which means fall sports will also be affected for the first part of the season. 

Although spring sports do not use the gym for competitions, softball and baseball do typically rely on the gym space for practices and drills. 

Prior to the start of construction, Athletic Director Ryan Peters, who is one of the administrators overseeing the project, worried that teams would have to adjust due to lack of access to the main gym.

“They’re usually in [the gym this time of year], so they’ll have to be a little bit more creative with regards to their space,” Peters said back in March.

However, the construction start date was delayed until April 3, which allows teams to practice outside now that the weather has improved.

“Now they can usually practice outside,” Peters said. “[When the weather is bad] they might have to cancel.” 

Still, the indoor space is limited to the auxiliary gym, which is a small space for multiple teams to use for batting practice. 

Athletes such as Sarah Aschkenasy feel that it is a tight space. 

“It’s a smaller gym, and I like my space,” she said. “It can be cramped in there sharing one half of the aux gym with the baseball team.”

Since the weather continues to fluctuate, some players report they have had to practice outside even in the cold and wet. 

However, junior JV player Sam Wolf feels that practice has not been impacted as much.

“Practicing hasn’t been a big issue because we are able to use the aux gym and get a lot of hitting practice in,” he said. 

“We share the aux gym with the whole baseball program and softball,” he added. “We have had practices staggered, but now that games have started, that happens rarely.”

Since the weight room is part of the renovation, Peters initially made arrangements for spring sports teams to practice at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) during the construction; however, the plan did not work because the JCC offered a limited time window after school and some coaches are unable to start practice until 3:15 or 3:30.

“Instead they are  being creative and using some of the equipment from the current weight room and using it in the spaces that are available [the wrestling room and upstairs hallway,” he said.

Seniors such as baseball player Caleb White have mixed emotions about the gym renovation, as it will not be completed until the fall, after the class of 2026 graduates. 

“It frustrates me a little bit because I wish I could’ve gotten this new gym as a student,” White said. “But I am still excited to see what it becomes.” 

Peters said that although the construction is inconvenient this season, the project is sorely needed because the gym and training facilities need improvement. 

 “Our current weight room has not been redone in over 20 years, and it is very outdated,” he said. “It does not suit the needs of all of our teams training together.”

Peters says that when finished, the renovated gym will better accommodate the multiple ongoing practices of BHS teams during the spring season.

“[In the past] everybody [had] staggered times,” Peters said. “The sports teams can’t always practice together because you just don’t have enough space.” 

Freshman track athlete Sofia Andrews is excited to use the updated weight room. 

“It can be cramped up when half of the team is working out,” she said.

Peters has wanted to do this project for a long time, and he appreciates the support of other district leaders. 

“The boosters [and I] have been pushing this project for a while, and we got our school board members [and other administrators] on board,” he said.

Peters explained that the renovated gym will look very different. 

“The gym will be shifted, it will be moved closer to where the Hall of Fame pictures are, and the backboards will be changed, ” he said. “The fitness facility will now be placed behind the bleachers on the side, which is closest to the mezzanine and closest to the stairwell leading up to the wrestling room.”

In addition, the gym entryway will be improved and a new track surface installed; however, there will not be a full indoor track. 

Track athletes report that this will not be a significant problem.

“We don’t really use the indoor track,” junior track athlete Marley Readance said. “Most of our workouts are done in the hallways, but we are looking forward to having a new track when it is finished.”

Peters expects the renovated gym will draw more people to use the athletic facilities.

“People will be pretty geared up,” he said. “I hope it attracts other people to want to use that space. Anytime something new opens it gets people excited.”

Peters explained his excitement for the project and how he is looking forward to it being finished due to the substantial impact it will have on BHS athletes.  

“This is an exciting period of time,” Peters said. “…When this place is done, it’s going to really look spectacular.” 

*Article updated April 16, 2026