-The Gym Under Construction

BY: N.K.L

Kean athletes and sports fans, get ready for a big disappointment, because the gym is going under construction this year.

But wait! Kean students want to know how the basketball and volleyball teams are going to practice. Mr. Peter Seipel, head of the Phys. Ed. Department, said, “While the gym is under construction, we will use the parking lot.” When he was asked how long it will take, Mr. Seipel said, “It will take about nine months.”

Lisa Williams in a guest editorial Thursday November 5th in The Daily News said, “The work on just the exterior of the gym will take up to one year to complete, according to Public Works Commissioner Darryl Small.”

These are the things that need to be fixed in the gym: first the roof needs fixing and maybe the windows; then a new gym floor must be installed; the A.C unit location will be changed from where it’s at; and lastly, the bathrooms and sinks need to be fixed. Principal Sharon McCollum of Kean High School said, “It will take about $2.5 million to be fixed.’’

This delay is going to be an outrage to the athlete at Kean High. An 18-year old 12th grade male from Kean said, “While playing basketball on the court, I slipped and fell where I almost got injured from the water on the floor leaking from the AC.” He said he is really upset that it is not fixed as yet.

Another 12th grade male from Kean said, “I slipped many times while playing sports on the court and something needs to be done.”

Mitch, an 18-year-old 12th grade male from Kean, said, “From since 9th grade the gym was supposed to be fixed and now that I am leaving the gym is still not fixed.”

Chaun Chaun, a 12th grade female at Kean, said, “I think the condition of the gym is ridiculous. Sometimes the AC works, but most of the time is doesn’t, and I think if we are going to be having classes in the gym, then we deserve to be in a cool place, especially when we are playing sports. Also the AC leaks are just plain out ridiculous and it’s time they do something about this situation.”

Kean students in my second period class all said, “As for the gym getting fixed, when we see it we will believe it.”