New roof planned for old gym

Lake Roosevelt’s gym will survive the wrecker’s ball, and it may take on a new appearance.

It all depends on what funds are left over after the Grand Coulee Dam School District completes its new K-12 facility, due to open Sept. 15.

The school board Monday night agreed to put a red metal roof on the gym, matching the roof of the new school, and to try to match the siding that is now going up on the new school.

It all depends on the money, the school board stated.

Members of the board asked Superintendent Dennis Carlson to return to next month’s board meeting with what it would cost to dress up the old gym to match the new facility.

A new gym planned for the site will have to wait, as well as redesigned athletic fields, until the district finds a way to pay for the $17 million cost associated with them, about $9 million for a gym alone.

Lake Roosevelt High School will continue using the old gym, and it will remain even after a new gym is built, and used as a practice facility.

The roof over the old gym was part of the original plan, so it will be financed. Carlson asked the board if the members wanted to put on a new roof with red material, but not metal matching the new roof. They said no, match it up.