From the Bench: BHS Sport's Infrastructure Sees New Out-of-Sight Project with Possible Six-Figure Cost
By Jeff Toquinto on October 20, 2024 from Sports Blog
There are a whole lot of things over the years individuals have witnessed as far as improving facilities utilized by Bridgeport High School’s athletic programs. At times, there are upgrades to the athletic infrastructure few see or know about.
Such is the case with the latest project that was completed. It is one that easily has a cost in the tens of thousands of dollars and whose actual cost – when donated labor and discounted or donated materials are figured in – is likely into six figures.
The latest project? A completely gutted and renovated girl’s locker room and coach’s office. It is being utilized by the girls’ volleyball and basketball teams and is situated right beside the gymnasium, in the entrance closest to the administration side of the building as opposed 
to the parking lot.
to the parking lot.
In other words, it is essentially out of sight.
“The project is done, and our young ladies are already utilizing the new room,” said BHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Tom Sears, who praised Principal Renee Mathews and others for the effort to get the project off the ground. “This is a top-notch project and a top-notch dressing room that, most important, is functional and, also important, really liked by the students.”
The locker room project is the second one completed during Sears’ time as AD. The other big one was the new weight room facility that is a stone’s throw away from the new locker room.
“Both of those projects were on Mrs. Mathews’ radar,” he said. “I think both of us, and all those who were involved, have a unified vision of making sure our young ladies have the quality space made available to them as the rest of the student athletes here at Bridgeport.
“Our goal was to provide a world-class space and make sure they had ownership of it,” he continued. “That’s happened, and I think it mentally helps the kids perform even though the results have been there with the volleyball team, girls’ basketball, and our cheer team that can also utilize the space.”
While everything is new inside, the project is an extensive remodel of the existing space. There are new lockers that include personal safes and plenty of room for uniforms, shoes, and other personal items, which is the key component.
But there is more. There is a lot more.
There are new air conditioning units, two of them, that keep the space cool after an exhausting day of practice or during game time. There is completely re-installed drop ceiling and work done to redo the sprinkler system.
Everything has been painted as well. As for a few additions beyond the items some may think are obvious is a new mounted large screen television and a large Bridgeport Indian rug in the middle of the room.
There is another part of the room that was redone. The coaches of the sports have a fresh-looking office as well.
“It’s a very nice space,” said Sears. “We feel confident all who have and will use it will enjoy the space.”
Sears was not hesitant to put a price tag on it as much as he was unable to. And for good reason.
The school, as it always does, got a ton of help from the community. They had help from laborers. They also had plenty of help from the Harrison County School’s maintenance department.
“Kudos to the Harrison County School’s maintenance department. They did the flooring, the drop ceiling, and all of the painting as part of an even larger group effort,” said Sears.
Sears also pointed to funding provided by the Bridgeport High School Boosters Club. Dollars from that organization, which is always there 
for BHS athletes, was boosted by some school funds that were also utilized, Sears said.
for BHS athletes, was boosted by some school funds that were also utilized, Sears said.
“This project is definitely in the tens of thousands of dollars, and easily could be higher if you put an hourly wage on the work that was provide alone,” said Sears. “It’s great to see everyone working together to make things better for our students.”
The better news? Sears said things are not done on the athletic improvement front. He will be discussing, in this very blog in the weeks ahead, some other upcoming projects. Most of these will be noticeable.
“It’s nice to see things getting done and staying busy,” said Sears. “That’s all possible because everyone, from staff, coaches, and administrators to the community, all strive for the same thing. We think everyone will like the other projects that are in the works.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows a near total view of the newly renovated locker room area, while a closeup in the second photo shows some of the detail work done. Bottom image is the redone space inside the officer for the coaching staffs.
