Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GHS Gym Opens, Offically Dedicated

Just exactly how new is the Gurdon gymnasium at Gurdon High School?

It's so new when dedication ceremonies were held between the senior girls and boys game Friday, Jan. 17, the facility still smelled of paint.

Fans flocked into the new facility for the first time officially, to see the new purple and gold seating. On the home side, the seats are purple, with GHS spelled out in gold. The visitors seating is gold with GHS in purple.

Neither GHS was visible by the time the dedication took place at center court.

It was a perfect night for Gurdon.

The Gurdon district inaugurated a new gymnasium, while the Go-Devils swept Stamps in a trio of games to make the evening one to remember.

Gurdon High School Principal Leonard Gills provided the welcoming address to the packed stands, filled primarily with Go-Devil fans.

He said on Jan. 16, 1996, GHS held its first day of classes in the new facility. One year and one day later, he continued, the new gym was opened.

"This begins a new chapter in the history of Gurdon High School athletics," he said. "Many of you will look back at the old gym and cherish the memories of the past. Others will be caught in the excitement of tonight.

"But we must all strive to improve athletics for the future. Two things are important for this program: the quality of people and good sportsmanship being displayed."

Gills said Gurdon has a new facility it can be proud of. "I challenge you tonight to display purple and gold pride. Show your spirit by helping maintain this facility and being proud of the accomplishments we've made."

Jim Coats, with the Arkansas Activities Association, was the keynote speaker at the function.

He congratulated the district and people of Gurdon for the work done in getting the gym built.

"This is a great gym," Coats said. "This is where character begins, on the athletic field. You can teach it in class, but you learn more on the floor.

"This is what it's all about -- sportsmanship, integrity and citizenship.

Wayne Trull, the architect of the gym, and Larry Hill, the contractor, each lauded Gurdon on the new facility, thanking the people and district for being allowed to be part of it.

Once the featured speakers had their say, the Gurdon School Board was introduced, with the members being given the chance to speak, if they chose.

Charles Ledbetter, board president, had little to say, but presented Superintendent Bobby Smithson with a plaque for his efforts in getting the gym finished.

Tommy Overbee, a member of the board, praised Smithson for the physical labor he gave in actually helping work on the gym.

Smithson, though, gave his praise to the people of Gurdon. He said without their support, none of this would have been possible. The people, he said, passed a 12 mill tax increase to build a new high school and gym.

"Let's not quit," he said. "Let's get a new middle school and football field out here."

The Devils did their part to make the evening one to remember as all three teams posted wins.

In all games, Gurdon scored first. Crystal Simpson put in the first two points for the junior girls, while Alecia Clayborn did the honors for the senior squad.

Corey Marsh had to show off a little as he canned the first shot for the boys from long-range.