Schools
Oak Ridge Elementary Gymnasium Expansion Draws Rave Reviews
Oak Ridge Elementary School completed its addition that expanded the gymnasium while adding a corridor.
PALOS HILLS, IL — "Amazing, humongous and blown away” were just some words used to describe the new 7,500-square-foot gymnasium addition at Oak Ridge School in Palos Hills.
The addition more than doubles the size of the existing gymnasium and teacher offices while bringing in considerably more natural and artificial lighting.
“The gym is amazing,” said gym teacher Kenn Gesiakowski. “The additional space allows students to move around more freely. This space also allows us to have multiple classes participating without having a negative effect on being active and playing the waiting game. The lighting adds brightness and a new energy level."
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The project also includes a new corridor immediately north of the gym that allows students to have direct access to the school’s All-Purpose Room to eat their lunch without passing through the gymnasium.
Gesiakowski said the new corridor makes a huge difference. “In the past, we would have to stop (gym) class while students walked through to get to lunch,” he said. “While we are blown away by the size of the addition, that corridor is a game-changer.”
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Oak Ridge Principal Stephanie Johnson said students are “excited to have such a great new space.”
“The gym allows us all the space we need so that all of our PE classes have a dedicated space where our students can safely engage in all the fun activities our PE teachers plan,” Johnson said. “We are so appreciative of all the hard work that (Building and Grounds Director) Dan Ford and his team put in to make this addition happen.”
