Streetsboro high school will start off 2011 with a brand new gym.

A fire blazed through the facility earlier this year leaving nearly 2 million dollars in damages.

Student’s like senior Shyanne Mortimer had to adjust to substitute accommodations in order to continue their athletic and physical education routines.

SOT Shyanne Mortimer, Streetsboro Senior

“WELL I PLAY VARSITY VOLLEYBALL SO WE DIDN’T HAVE A GYM FOR OUR ENTIRE SEASON OR FOR SENIOR NIGHT OR ANYTHING. WE HAD TO PLAY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.”

Principal Eric Rauschkolb says the construction of the new gym has been going as smoothly as planned and the new gym is scheduled to be complete by the end of February.

SOT Eric Rauschkolb, Principal:

“RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING BREAK, WE OPENED UP TWO HALLWAYS THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CLOSED. SO WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE SOME OF OUR TEACHERS THAT WERE OUT IN THESE TEMPORARY MODULAR CLASSROOMS…WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THEM BACK INTO THE BUILDING AND BACK INTO THEIR OLD CLASSROOM.”

The cause of the fire has yet to be announced but all damages are being covered by insurance.

(GRAPHIC)

Items needing replaced from fire damage include: bleachers, athletic banners, stage curtains, flooring chairs and paint.

Shyanne says she’s sad that her final volleyball season could not be in the gym that her teams calls their own.

But she and her fellow students are looking forward to finally having their own space back in the Spring.

SOT Shyanne

“IT DOESN’T REALLY FEEL LIKE IT’S THE END OF VOLLEYBALL OR IT IS YOUR VOLLEBALL SEASON. IT’S ALMOST JUST LIKE YOU’RE THERE. IT’S ALMOST JUST LIKE IT’S A PRACTICE BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT IN YOUR HOME GYM LIKE WE HAVE BEEN IN PAST YEARS.”

SOT Eric

“EVERYONE HERE, FROM THE ATHLETES, THE TEACHERS AND THE COACHES HAVE BEEN VERY POSITIVE AND FLEXIBLE. AND THEY’VE REALLY MADE IT A PRETTY GOOD SITUATION HERE.”

For TV2 News, I’m Lauren Forthofer