(Marion) — Marion students from over the decades are invited to take a step back onto campus this weekend for a little reminiscing.
The Marion ISD is inviting all former students and community members to this Saturday’s celebration of the original Marion ISD Gym.
Marion ISD Superintendent Kelly Lindholm says in anticipation of saying goodbye to the old gym in its current state, the district is asking that folks come out to “reminisce and highlight” some of their favorite moments from the years past.
“It’s interesting, you walk into a place like that and the memories just come back. There is a smell in a place like that. There’s sights that you take in. The old wooden bleachers — what we affectionately called the ‘dungeon’ which was the old dressing room. Everybody that comes is going to remember something from that facility because it is so unique and so, it’s a chance to come out and just walk around and take a look at it and I think the memories and the fun and the excitement. Maybe it was a pep rally that was held in there or a band concert or whatever it was. Most folks that were here between the 50s and the 80s had some experience in that gym and like I said, it is going to be taken down to its basic structure so this is going to be kind of the last opportunity for the public and former coaches and players to come out and just walk the facility. Take pictures or reunite with old friends and just tell stories about what their experience was in there. It might not have even been sports related. It may have been that’s where a band concert was held or a fall festival or something and I think just coming out and having a chance to visit with other people who have similar experiences would be really enjoyable for everybody,” said Lindholm.
Voters in May, approved a $22 million bond project which included $9 million for the complete renovation and repurpose of the old gym. Lindholm says while they hope to incorporate much of the historical charm into the new building, the new space will be revitalized into something different for the district.
“It’s just a part of the Krueger Primary Campus. So, it’s going to be repurposed into the Krueger Cafetorium so it’s going to have a music room and a stage, the full fledged kitchen and of course, the cafeteria and that’s going to be the front side and then, there’s 12 classrooms on the backside of it. So, it’s just going to part of the Krueger Primary Campus,” said Lindholm.
The new building project is expected to begin in March. The invitation to honor the original Marion ISD gym will be held this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Krueger Gym.