Wellesley High School Project
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It is highly likely that the current Larsson Gymnasium will be torn down regardless of which renovation/construction plan is selected. What gymnasium configuration should replace it? |
Wellesley High School presently has two gymnasiums, the original 1938 gym and the 1963 Larsson gym. Both gyms are in need of renovation. The lighting is poor, the floors are in need of replacement; there is insufficient storage for fitness and athletic equipment; the 1938 gym does not have working water fountains or telephones; and bleachers are not handicap accessible. Still, with these limitations, they marginally serve the needs of the fitness and health curricula and competitive athletic programs when supplemented with the use of gyms in other schools in our district and, occasionally, Babson and Wellesley Colleges. The use of offsite facilities adds transportation challenges for our teams. Continued increasing enrollment at the high school will stress the capacity of these gyms beyond the limit. Also, since the Larsson gym is sited where construction of an addition is most likely to occur, for this reason alone a new gym will be needed.
Options for expanding the current school through additions or for building a new school on the same site are extremely limited. Figure 1 (below) shows the location of the two gyms relative to the current school and the school property. The conclusion reached by every architect and consultant who has studied the school, as well as the town’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC), is that the single story areas, particularly the cafeteria and gym, are prime locations for additions. It would be necessary to tear down both facilities in order to accommodate new construction.
The original 1938 gym, small even by 1963 standards in that it could not accommodate one regulation high school basketball court, is used for wrestling and other athletic and fitness programs where a regulation playing court is not needed. Most concepts analyzed to renovate the 1938 building suggested conversion of the 1938 gym to other classroom, administration and student spaces because of its location.
This set of assumptions leads to the question, “What kind of fitness and athletic facility should be built?” While one can believe that a full athletic field house accommodating multiple special purpose athletic facilities would be ideal, that is not a workable option for several reasons:
The limitations on the size of the site make it close to impossible to build a field house on the school’s land, and parkland/playground restrictions will prohibit erection of a facility across the street on the Hunnewell field.
Field houses are specifically identified as not eligible for reimbursement by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
We do not believe that advocating for a field house is appropriate in light of the town’s many fiscal challenges and our primary focus on academic education.
Current and Anticipated Needs
Fitness and Health - Approximately 800 students enroll in fitness classes each semester and the number will grow as enrollment increases. The success of the fitness and health program depends on our ability to offer students a diversified, broadly based program with a wellness perspective. The curriculum includes three strands of specialized instruction: adventure, fitness, and lifetime activity. The 1938 gym, with two climbing walls and space that is adequate for modified game activities, accommodates some of the activity curriculum. The wrestling room provides inadequate, but usable space for yoga and self -defense classes. Several fitness classes are offered in the fitness center, and the Larsson gym is the site for core strength classes, sport education, and the rackets, bats and clubs course. There is no adequate place for running or jogging when the weather forces classes or team practices inside. The high ropes challenge course is outside. Currently there is no one designated classroom for the required health issues course.
Competitive Athletics - Our indoor facilities must provide adequate space for basketball practice and games and accommodate other sports practice activities when the weather prohibits outdoor practice, especially for baseball, track, tennis, field hockey and soccer.
The long tradition of competitive athletics at Wellesley High School is a source of great pride to the town. Students are encouraged to join one or more of the 26 teams within the program, which offers niches for students and opportunities for them to experience positive and meaningful connections with adults. Some athletes compete at the championship level, but the majority of our athletes simply compete for the love of a sport and the desire to be active. Last year throughout three seasons there were 1,247 student athletes at Wellesley High School. Many students participate in all three seasons, and more than 70% of our high school students participate on at least one team. Participation in athletics enhances their personal development and students’ profiles for college admission. Lessons learned as a member of a team are valuable life long lessons, which our alumni speak of often.
Recommended Gymnasium Facility
The School Committee considered the alternatives and ultimately decided upon a configuration that is the standard for a comparable suburban school of our size. It consists of the following:
This facility would be located in close proximity to locker rooms, the fitness center, a classroom and other athletic and fitness facilities. Sufficient storage space must be provided for storage of fitness and athletic equipment.
The total square feet of this facility, including the track, is 9,550 square feet larger than the sum of the two existing gyms (Proposed: 24,770 sq ft; Two existing: 15,150 sq ft). Our consulting architects from Symmes Maini & Mckee Associates (SMMA) report that schools of our size involved in new construction or remodeling projects are specifying either a three court gym, as we propose, or a larger field house; rarely, if ever, anything smaller.
The fitness center would be similar to the existing fitness center with reuse of much, if not all of the existing equipment. The classroom requirement for the health issues curriculum has been incorporated into the approved architectural program.
Other Advantages
A single gym offers other advantages. It provides a location where the entire student body can be seated for a special event such as a pep rally. It can house large exhibits or other unique community events. Additionally, in the event of inclement weather, it allows graduation exercises to be held in our own school building.
Conclusion
The School Committee believes that one large three-station gym with an elevated practice running track would adequately meet the needs of the program of Wellesley High School and, additionally, would benefit the community. Therefore, the architectural program approved by the School Committee includes the gym facility summarized here and described in more detail in the consultant’s report.
Approved by School Committee
April 9,2007