Pickens High School unveiled the new Jim Locke Field House on Friday, August 16th. The field house will provide dressing areas, training facilities, meeting rooms, and offices for football, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys track and field, and girls track and field.
The new building, spanning 7,884 square feet was funded by ESPLOST dollars. ESPLOST, the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, is a one-cent tax that is dedicated for use by school systems to fund public education. By law, ESPLOST can only be used for certain capital projects, like buildings, facilities, transportation and technology. Future ESPLOST projects include renovations to Pickens High School, Hill City Elementary, and Harmony Elementary, among other projects.
"It's a proud day when the Dragons are able to move into a space like this," said Superintendent, Dr. Travis Thomas. "Our new field house is more than a building. It is where teamwork and individual growth are both fostered, where dreams take shape, and where futures are forged. We are thrilled to add another premier facility to our school district."
With over 500 high school students in the program, the addition of the new field house will provide the Dragons with much-needed space and enhance the overall experience for our student athletes.