A look inside Jac-Cen-Del’s gym renovation project

Floor beams haven't been seen since 1960

(OSGOOD, Ind.) – Jac-Cen-Del Athletic Director Paul Stone is giving the community a behind-the-scenes look at renovations taking place at the high school gym. 

It’s part of the school’s large-scale project that involved a roof replacement at the high school last fall, an auxiliary gym currently being built, and bleacher and security upgrades at the elementary school. 

Inside the high school gym, construction crews recently removed the floor that was installed in 1960.

There was no subflooring added in 1960 so the floor was installed on top of the wooden beams you see in the photos. 

“Now, when we add subfloor it means something else will have to happen. The existing basketball goals will have to be raised three-quarters-of-an-inch higher,” Stone said. 

Once the floor is installed, there will also be another visual change. 

“When I first became athletic director, wherever I went, people asked when we’re going to put the fighting eagle back on the floor. So, the fighting eagle is going back at half court,” Stone said. 

The fighting eagle will be one of many changes you’ll notice when you visit the gym next. 

There are new wooden bleachers, the team and individual banners have been moved, new conference opponent banners have been added, and the radio broadcast area is now at the top of the bleachers. 

You will also notice new digital displays and an upgraded scoreboard. 

“The scoreboard will not only show the score but also player points and fouls, so I’ll have to hire two clock workers for every game now, because one has to keep the regular clock and score and the other has to keep track of individual scoring,” Stone laughed. 

Some other changes coming will be an expanded weight room near the gym as well as a Hall-of-Fame room. 

Stone said the addition of the new auxiliary gym will make a significant difference for student athletes of all levels at Jac-Cen-Del. 

“Scheduling was tough and now we can have more things going on at once. We won’t have youth teams practicing at night anymore and we have more space for multiple events such as an archery tournament at the same time as basketball,” he said. 

The high school gym renovation is expected to be complete late this summer and the auxiliary gym will be finished toward the end of 2025. 

Here are several photos showing the current status of the gym: