If the walls of the Central School Round-top Gymnasium could talk, they would have stories to tell: stories about basketball practices where players loved to hate their coaches and the victory celebrations on Friday night because of those hard practices; stories about wrestlers who couldn’t hear the referee’s whistle because the cheers of the crowd where echoing off the walls; stories of junior high students learning to line dance during PE classes; stories about elementary students in heated knock-out, steal the flag, and kickball competitions. Jump for Heart fundraisers, carnivals and dances filled this building with excitement and anticipation. Virtually every person who has lived in Columbus has a memory associated with the “Old Gym” built nearly 60 years ago.
Columbus Community Foundation was proud to serve as a vehicle for change during the Central School round-top gym renovation, a project initiated and sponsored by Columbus Mini-Basketball League and Snowball Classic Basketball Tournament. At the conclusion of the six-month renovation, the facility was no longer reflective of the “Old Gym” title.
Financial support was provided by Columbus Community Foundation and individuals and businesses within the community including Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus Lions Club, Mike Carpino Ford, Crossland Cosntruction, Commerce Bank, Columbus Family Pharmacy, and Evan’s Drug. In addition, in kind donations of labor were provided by Columbus Lions Club, Columbus Mini-Basketball, and Central School students. Central School AD Troy Haraughty managed the project with the assistance of school and district administration.
Columbus Community Foundation is committed to the continued growth of its youth – socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Your gift to the Foundation supports projects like these that impact the entire community.