Cotter’s newest addition will be a gym added onto the current John Nett Rec Center.

The dream for an Centennial Gym addition started many years ago, but began to become a reality in 2011. In 2013, the John Nett Rec Center had some renovations such as the Hall of Fame lobby, new concession stands, and upgraded restrooms.

The need for the new gym arose when the former John Nett Rec. Center, located on Lafayette between Wabasha and Sanborn, was sold to Winona State University.

Work on the new gym started on April 14, and if all goes according to the plan, the addition will be finished next October in time for basketball season.

The new gym space will be called Centennial Gym, in honor of the Centennial Capital Campaign that put the effort into raising money for this new renovation. This campaign ran in 2011, in celebration of Cotter High School’s Centennial Birthday.

At a projected cost of two million dollars, the new gym will be used for a variety of sports. “Centennial Gym will provide additional practice space for both basketball and volleyball, and a home court for Junior High games,” Mr. Broadwater said, “There will be a full size game court plus two side courts for practice.”

Other plans in place for Centennial Gym are six baskets, all the necessary volleyball equipment, bleachers that will seat 100, and full sized scoreboards.

“Parents and fans will no longer have to drive to other gyms for their student’s practices and games. This gym will provide space… for students living in the dorms. A much needed storage room will be built off the east end of the new gym… for chairs, staging, tables, band/choir shells, and more,”  said Broadwater.

A groundbreaking ceremony with the whole school in attendance and featuring  remarks from Sr. Judy and Travis Whipple was held at a Thursday morning assembly earlier in the semester.