WGHS Opens New Auxiliary Gym

Recently a new gym was built for Walnut Grove’s athletes. The VIRIDIAN News team was given an early tour of the new gym to see what it was all about. 
by Ruby Aderhold

Recently a new gym was built for Walnut Grove’s athletes. The VIRIDIAN News team was given an early tour of the new gym to see what it was all about. 

First let’s see what WGHS students think of the new gym. Sam Smith, a senior at Walnut Grove, says why he thinks the new gym was built. “It was probably built to support extra sports that have had scheduling conflicts for the gym I assume.” Sam goes on to say that he's been in the gym before and, “It’s really cool, bigger than I expected on the inside.” What benefits could the new gym have on our school? Sam says, “A boost in sports performance and potentially winning more.” Sam says he suspects that the gym cost around $10,000 to $20,000 to build.

Well shockingly, it actually cost over $1,000,000 to build. But once you see it from the inside, it’s no surprise. When you walk in, you are met with a plaque that has the names of the people who helped bring the new gym to reality. The gym is equipped with six basketball goals, two televisions, a score board, bleachers, a sound system, and much more. This gym adds extra space for WGHS athletes to practice and play more than they could before. Volleyball games, basketball games, and tennis can be played in it. The new gym as a whole also has two locker rooms, bathrooms, two showers, and some spare rooms for practice as well. 

Do students think the new gym will benefit WGHS? This is what Elena Welch has to say about it. “I think it could have potential. I don’t think it was quite necessary since we already have a gym and a weight room, but the extra space could be useful for more students.” Elena goes on to restate how she feels. “I’m mixed about it. Why do we have to have another gym? But at the same time I see how it can be useful.” 

The new gym could be useful for a lot of things! One thing mentioned on our tour was moving the weights from our current weight room into the new gym. And while this would take some time, given how heavy weights are, it would be great for students. It would provide them with a fresh, well air-conditioned area to do weight training. 
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Overall the gym seems like a great addition to WGHS. It offers a new clean area to play and exercise. It’s great to see that WGHS is prioritizing health by encouraging sports. 

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