News Summary

HAMILTON — Construction on Hamilton High School's new gymnasium — which includes a 2,000-seat arena with a second-floor fitness track — is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2009.

"It's going to be outstanding," said Mike Dellapina, athletic director.

In a presentation to board members Tony Rawe, project manager with Steed Hammond Paul, included schematics of the new athletic complex.

"The architects have done a great job of incorporating all the input from our coaches and our community members," Dellapina said. "I think it's going to a great modern facility for our students and will serve the needs of our students for years to come.

"It's also going to be a great spectator venue that will retain the intimate feeling of our current gym and bring our fans closer to the action."

The arena is surrounded by support spaces that include a fitness room, physical education and athletics locker rooms, athletics offices, and multipurpose athletics practice space. A hallway will be added that will connect the new gym and the auxiliary gym to the high school.Upon completion of the addition, the existing gym will be renovated into a cafeteria and the existing cafeteria will be renovated into additional classrooms, district officials said.

This construction phase also includes rebuilding or renovating Wilson Middle School and construction of eight elementaries. Four of the schools are under construction and site work is set to begin in September on the last four.

Board members said they will make the final decision Tuesday, Aug. 26, on renovating or a partial demolition and rebuild of Wilson.

A 4.91-mill bond issue approved by voters in November 2006 will generate the local share — $72 million — needed to construct the new elementary schools and complete other capital projects. The Ohio School Facilities Commission will pay the remaining $120 million of the cost.

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ontact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.