New Decorah High School gym ready for graduation

The final touches are underway on the new Decorah High School gym and officials say things are a "go" for commencement exercises on May 29.  Practice for graduation is scheduled for May 15, and the last day of school is May 24.

The new gym bleachers are already installed, and will seat about 1500, comparable to seating in the old gym.  However, for graduation it is anticipated the new space will provide much more floor seating.  The gym bleachers have wider aisles, are more comfortable than the old wooden bleachers, and will be significantly separated from the floor playing space and player benches.

There is space for three full sized volleyball courts and two full basketball courts (with a north/south dividing screen in the middle of the gym). 

There are several minor hurdles before graduation. There will need to be a fire marshal inspection before the space can be occupied.Construction crews will also need to prepare a temporary walkway from the high school entrance/cafeteria area, down the hallway that previously separated the old gym and locker room. The temporary hallway will then pass the new fitness room construction side and veer off into multiple entrances to the new gym.

And of course one of the biggest attractions for commencement exercise will be the seating in air conditioned comfort.