By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito High School (SBHS) gymnasium is receiving new digital scoreboards and a sound system in the near future, but not before the current gym floor is replaced.
Elected leaders here unanimously agreed that the administration look into the costs associated with these major projects, as discussed during a special meeting on May 28 at the John F. Barron Administration Building.
Two of the three vendors submitted bids to replace the gym floor. Rubber Flooring Systems, Inc. (based in Kemah) bid $261,192.20, and Demo-Con, Inc. (based in La Feria) bid $204,700.
Symmetry Sports Construction (based in Mount Pleasant) failed to submit a bid, according to district administrators.
The main meeting topic was the flooring and its associated cost.
Last year, the gym was unused because part of the floor was warped toward the end of the school year and into the summer due to roof leaks, said district officials.
SBHS hosted several collegiate signings at the time, and part of the floor was taped off, creating an unsightly scene for visitors.
“We’ve been discussing the San Benito High School gym for the past couple of weeks. It’s clear that our gym floor needs to be replaced,” SBCISD Superintendent of Schools Fred Perez said. “I received a quote for gym resurfacing and another for a full gym replacement. My recommendation is to proceed with a full replacement.”
He said the process involves removing the top layer of the varnish. Construction workers have to remove material from the wood to a certain depth, which will remove some of the floor.
“We have a lot of the (gym) leaks under control. The roofs were worked on, as were the drains,” Superintendent Perez said. “There’s no telling what’s under that floor when we lift it. There are still some spots that could be rotted.”
He said there are a multitude of events besides volleyball and basketball, including wrestling, dance, and student gatherings.
Trustee Rudy Corona moved to proceed with the gym floor, and the motion was seconded by Trustee Celina Gonzales.
SCOREBOARD, SOUND SYSTEM
Several trustees spoke about the ongoing issues that have affected not only athletes but also students when events are held in a gymnasium built in 1979.
“Can you look into a new scoreboard and a new sound system?” asked Trustee Corona. “One issue is that the sound system at basketball games goes in and out.”
Superintendent Perez added, “Student events, too; we’re always having issues with the speaker system. I want to be able to get a system with a screen that we can integrate with the sound system.”
Trustees will review pricing once Superintendent Perez returns with the costs.
Although Trustee Dr. Ariel Cruz-Vela said, “We need a new gym,” the trustees agreed to refrain from discussing the matter in detail because it wasn’t an agenda item.