Clay County Schools will spend some $25,000 project to renovate the gym floor at the Hermitage Springs School.
Hermitage Springs School Principal Dr. Pat Teeples said the project will involve sanding the floor down to the bare wood before repainting and refinishing it, something that has not been done in many years. Teeples said the project will address wear and tear that officials say could eventually become a safety concern.
“Well, it’s been a long, long time since it’s been completely redone,” Teeples said. “We had some issues in the floor, some gouges, some scratches that were on their way toward becoming a safety hazard. So we need to fix that.”
Teeples said the renovation will also include adding permanent volleyball lines, eliminating the need for tape that can damage the floor over time. As part of the project, the school plans to switch from an oil-based finish to a water-based one, which Teeples said will improve the overall look of the floor.
“The water base is just a whole lot cleaner looking,” Teeples said. “It leaves the floor a little brighter. It lets the colors pop a little bit more.”
Teeples said the contractor selected is highly reputable, with experience working on high-level courts, including major collegiate and professional venues. Teeples said the timeline for the project is still being finalized, but work is expected to take place over the summer when students are not in the building.
“I think they had a date in mind, but we had to wait and to get board approval,” Teeples said. “And then when that came through the date changed. So we’re working on it because it’s going to be a couple of weeks without anyone being on it.”
Teeples said regular maintenance after the renovation should help preserve the new surface for years to come.
