For years, a basketball game on the home court of Paul VI High School meant playing at the University of the District of Columbia in northwest D.C. But with the opening of a multimillion-dollar student activity center, the basketball team won’t have to go far to play their home games.
"Now we’ll be able to stay at home and get more support," said Levi Franklin, basketball coach and math teacher. The team had held games outside of Paul VI because the older gym was too small and didn’t meet regulations for games. "And also [we’ll have] a lot more room to practice."
After over a year of construction, the $5.4 million, student activity center opened its doors for the first time to students and the school body last Sunday with a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Paul S. Loverde, the bishop of the Diocese of Arlington.
The student center, which began construction in summer 2002, includes not only a college-sized gymnasium that seats 1,200 in the bleachers, but men’s and women’s locker rooms; coaching offices; a wrestling, all-purpose room; an art room; a faculty lounge; and a technology room with 30 brand-new computers.
The gymnasium’s size will also allow all four grades of the school to meet together for school assemblies. The school had its first all-school-wide assembly and mass Tuesday morning. Previously, the school had divided the student body to have two assemblies, because the whole school wouldn’t fit in the auditorium.
"It’s going to enhance totally our physical education program by offering more activities we can teach," said physical education department chair Ellen Horan, adding that the department would be able to add more lifetime sports activities and intramurals.
Even those not affiliated with athletics are excited by the new activity center. Technology program coordinator Greg Crofford said teachers of all subjects will be able to coordinate use of the technology room with their lesson plans.
"Teachers now have the opportunity to come here and enhance their curriculum," Crofford said.
But the students are among the most excited about the boost the new activity center will give to their athletic programs.
"I’m on varsity volleyball, and I’m really excited about playing some games in there," said sophomore Carol Opiela. "It’ll be a big difference because it’s larger, and we’ll have new equipment."
Sophomore Marian Fisk, who will be the manager for the girls’ basketball team, agreed.
"It’s awesome ... the games are going to be amazing, because we’ll be able to seat more."
Indeed, students hope the gymnasium’s larger seating capacity will bring in a bigger crowd to cheer for the Paul VI Panthers.
"It’ll reflect the new image Paul VI is trying to show everyone," said senior Peter Zanelotti.