FOR YEARS SUBBIE basketball players have been slipping on the Uni Gym court. But not anymore.

Last week, thanks to the generosity of a Uni family, a new floor was installed in the gym. The project cost slightly more than $17,000.

At the fall sports awards ceremony on Nov. 12, Athletic Director Sally Walker announced that a parent had donated money and requested that it be used to improve the gym floor.

The money was given to the school a year ago, but until Director/Principal Steve Epperson came to Uni, the money had not yet been used.

“I told him of the offer, and he talked with the parent and they said the offer still was on the table, so Steve proceeded to make some calls to see what was available flooring-wise and to see if it was feasible,” said Walker

In addition to the donation, a Uni alumnus gave money specifying that it go to the athletic department. This will also help pay for renovations and additions to the gym.

“The old floor was very hard and slick and therefore very unsafe for any athletic purpose," Walker said. "The current floor will offer some cushion, nice for joints and will not be slick. This will allow athletes to actually stop when they want without fear of sliding.”

The new floor is a "synthetic sport court," a product of the company Sport Court. Workers installed the floor on Thursday.

"The cost of the new gym floor was $17,177," Epperson said. "This included the new floor, installation, the entryway floor, and painting the lines."

But a new floor isn't the only thing Uni Gym will receive.

Once the Uni High Athletic Booster Club heard the gym was being renovated, members decided to pitch in. The gym will get glass backboards and locker room benches.

Thanks to the new flooring, Uni Gym will be usable for more than subbie basketball games and school dances.

“We will be able to use it for backup space for volleyball and [JV/varsity] basketball, and that was not possible before," Walker said. "Soccer players will also appreciate the comfort of the new floor and wall padding.”

UNI GYM FLOORING BEFORE AND AFTER

The old floor, badly in need of replacing. Gargoyle photo by Katherine Allen (click to enlarge)

The new floor, ready for action. Gargoyle photo by Katherine Allen (click to enlarge)