After months of construction, the new gym at Summerland Secondary School is now open.

On Nov. 13, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the $10.5 million facility.

The need for a new gym at the high school had been identified for many years. 

Trustee Linda Van Alphen said there were calls for a gym replacement dating back 23 to 24 years ago. Then, in 2013, Abishek Lekhi, then a student at the school, presented a petition to the school board, asking for a new gym.

鈥淲hat is here today is the cumulation of that petition,鈥� Van Alphen said.

Todd Manuel, superintendent of schools for the school district, said the new gym is a significant project for the community.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be something that鈥檚 great for students here today and for students who are here in the future,鈥� he said.

鈥淭hese are places where we can come together, build community and build memories that will last a lifetime.鈥�

Laine Greyeyes, who was a student at the high school from 1983 to 1988, said the former gym provided a special place for her when she was a student.

Alan Stel, principal at the high school, said the old gym had been opened in 1951. While the gym was heavily used over the years, it no longer met the needs of the high school. However, that gym has been renovated and will continue to serve the school.

The new gym is a new asset for the school to use, Stel said. It is large enough to meet present needs and accommodates regulation sports courts.

Stel said the past and present members of the board, who identified the need for a new gym, deserve recognition.

The gym was funded with proceeds from the sale of McNicoll Park Middle School in December, 2019.

Sawchuk Construction and Ed Hildebrandt, the school district鈥檚 capital project manager ensured the work was completed on time and within budget.