Elkin Middle School - Elkin, NC

After four years of continual persistent teamwork from the superintendent, staff, parents, and community members, a problem has been solved that will greatly improve the ownership and pride of Elkin Middle School. It has been a dream come true for the Elkin City Schools community to see the new construction for the very first Elkin Middle School gymnasium! Since 1962, the middle school has shared the existing N.H. Carpenter gymnasium with the high school. Annually, a total of 347 athletes shared the gym for practices and games. One gym floor and one set of locker rooms made it impossible to accommodate the needs of all physical education programs. Some classes met in the lobby, some met outside, and others traveled to the local recreation center. The middle school split grade levels up and visited the gym every other day for one period. Students will now benefit academically, athletically, socially, and emotionally from a new state-of-the-art 23,775 square foot gymnasium that will provide additional space for physical education classes, practice, and competition space for athletes, locker rooms, a concession stand, and public restrooms to accommodate the home and visiting teams. The addition of an elevator inside the building will provide barrier-free travel for students and visitors in wheelchairs as well as the addition of an elevator spanning three stories to make the existing gym handicapped accessible. This is a much needed and long-awaited addition to the school campus and one that the students truly deserve.