NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT
Renovations to the Medicine Hat High School gymnasium are underway and are expected to be complete in time for the 2019-2020 school year.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
The final phase of renovations for Hat High’s running track is underway and slated for completion in time for the 2019-2020 school year.
Principal Boris Grisonich says the upgraded track has been in the works since the school’s 2017 modernization, which included a reconfigured gymnasium.
“That was part of the plan of having the longer gym, rather than a square gym,” he said. “One of the benefits was the opportunity to have the track fit the way it fits.”
Alberta Education didn’t want the school to move forward with each step of the modernization process until it could confirm the money for it was raised, said Grisonich.
They were able to complete the work through local sponsorships, donations, as well as volunteer work.
The school also saved funds starting about three years pre-construction, the principal added.
He estimates $6 million was invested between the Medicine Hat Public School Division and the school itself.
“We didn’t have the money to finish the running track during the construction of the gym, so now we’re able to proceed and we’re going to finish that last stretch,” Grisonich said.
Grisonich says the completed track adds to the school’s state-of-the-art fitness amenities.
“Having the running track as a part of it just completes it so they can do a full circle, rather than having to stop, turn around and run back,” he said.
Construction on the final quarter of the track began about two weeks ago and will be ready for Sept. 1 if all goes according to plan.
“Sometimes you run into hiccups, but they’re convinced and we’re confident that it will be done by (then),” said Grisonich.
