MANHATTAN — Manhattan High School will be unveiling a new gym with the onset of the fall sports season.
The old gym will likely still be used for C-squad and possibly junior varsity games to keep the events in a condensed schedule, but athletic director and Hall of Fame coach Pat Lynch said a new gym has been a long time coming.
The gym features a curtain that can divide the gym in half, allowing multiple games to be played simultaneously.
“The district is growing quite rapidly. That old gym, as much as we all love it, is semi-dangerous for the spectators and players and officials,” Lynch said. “Through the graciousness of our community and tax payers and the hard work of our administration and such, we had the bond issue passed. What we have now is phenomenal. It’s phenomenal.”
However, it’s more than just a basketball gym. The facility features two new music rooms, a large new commons area for students, as well as a stage and a new weight room and wrestling room.
“We have two beautiful music rooms and a wonderful music program, along with a commons area for the students, which will allow speech and drama, which is a great program,” said Lynch. “Our cheer program, all of our athletes, it’s more than a gym. It’s more of an athletic facility that allows all of our school’s programs to prosper and benefit.”
The facility has multiple uses, including a walking track on the mezzanine level that will be open for community members to use in the mornings. The facility will be opened up for community members to tour during Manhattan’s Potato Festival on Aug. 18.
