A new field house is the next step in Southfield High’s $45 million renovation project, according Principal Marvin Youmans.
“This is long overdue, and this is something that Southfield High students deserve,” said Athletic Director Art Carinci, who is on the school’s Bond Committee that helps determine how the voter-approved money will be spent.
Plans for the new field house call for three full basketball courts, an indoor track, and more room to accommodate people, Carinci said. It will be constructed where the B-house parking lot is.
Some of the problems with the current 52-year old gym are poor lighting, only one full court and aging facilities in disrepair.
Senior Toby Odegbo said, “We’ve needed a new gym because there is no good traction on the current gym floor.” He says that a new gym will make the basketball players play better on defense because of better traction.
Behind A-house there will be new science and technology classrooms, Youmans said.
Over recent months the district has been meeting with teachers and departments to see what their needs are so that the plans can be finalized.
After the field house and technology classrooms are built, the school plans to tear down O-house’s wings, build a new auditorium, and add a new commons area.
Youmans says that the renovation of Southfield High will have a tremendous effect on the learning environment. “How things look impacts us and how we respond, so the atmosphere will be more positive.”
Assistant Principal Marty Bulger, who is head of the Bond Committee, said that committee members are meeting with architects to devise how to spend the money. “Most people will be happy, but it’s impossible to please everybody,” says Bulger who goes on to say that this is an exciting time and that the school will do what’s best for the children.