Tom Dodge
For over 80 years it has stood majestically in the midst of the St. Edmund campus and a fundraiser is underway to help the historic gymnasium be renovated and restored to its former glory.
Construction began on July 10, 1939, at a cost of $18,200 and the building was completed in November of that year.
The building included seven classrooms, a large stage along with the hardwood court needed for boxing and basketball.
Monsignor Alphonse Martel dedicated the building on Thanksgiving Day but it would not be until Labor Day of the following year that the building would be blessed by Bishop Jules Jeanmard.
The first basketball game in the gym was held on December 12, 1939, as the Lady Jays grabbed a 20-8 in over Eunice High.
The boxing team was also extremely successful competing in the new gym.
Generations of students played in the gym until the construction of a new facility across the street in 2010.
Now the “old gym” is in need of repair and improvements, according to St. Edmund’s Development Director Jamie Manuel.
“Tearing it down is not an option for most true Blue Jay people,” she said, “It is an icon on campus and in the town – we want to keep the tradition that St. Edmund alumni are very proud of.”
This restoration effort has begun with a goal of $400,000 to complete necessary exterior renovations.
All exterior walls will be stripped and replaced with hardie plank and cement boards. Windows and side doors will also be replaced.
At present time, Manuel said they have raised between $230,000 and $240,000.
“There are a few things on the inside we need to work on,” Manuel said. “But it is mostly restoration to the exterior and structure.”
“We use it almost every day with elementary P.E.,” she said. “Plus the elementary and junior high play sports there.”
Manuel said when Dr. Ben Miller and former principal Harry Summerlin passed away earlier this year, memorials were designated to either a scholarship fund or the old gym restoration.
“Preserving history for the use of future generations is vital to the continued success of the school,” she said.
“We are asking for our Blue Jay family and supporters to help us revive our historic gymnasium so that it may continue to serve our students for many more years to come.”
“I inherited this project,” St. Edmund chancellor Fr. Hampton Davis said. “It was supposed to happen in 2011 and I am trying to finish up what they started.
“It’s my hope that the renewing of this old building that has so many memories for so many people is going to show that St. Edmund is alive and thriving.
“This building has a history for the whole town as it was one of the community gathering places and all sorts of different groups.
Davis said the project is in two phases – beginning with the outside issues and then move to the interior of the building.