Peninsula College to dedicate new gym floor Saturday

By Sequim Gazette Staff • April 2, 2021 11:29 am
A community-led fundraising drive garnered $200,000 to replace the gym floor at Peninsula College. PC players, fans and representatives will dedicate the floor this Saturday, April 3, at halftime of the men’s game against visiting Everett. Photo courtesy of Peninsula College
A community-led fundraising drive garnered $200,000 to replace the gym floor at Peninsula College. PC players, fans and representatives will dedicate the floor this Saturday, April 3, at halftime of the men’s game against visiting Everett. Photo courtesy of Peninsula College

An outpuring of support from the community helped Peninsula College set new hardwood down for their basketball teams this spring.

College officials will dedicate the floor during halftime of Saturday’s 4 p.m. men’s basketball game against visiting Everett, to be live streamed on NWACSportsNetwork at nwacsportsnetwork.com.

The PC women get the first official game on the hardwood when they host Everett at 2 p.m.

The floor, installed by Northern Hardwood of Deer Park, was laid on top of the original floor that was installed in 1966, college officials said; that original Pirate floor was failing and deemed no longer safe for play

“We have a lot of people on that floor every year, from 5-year-olds at basketball camp to 80-year-olds playing noon hoops,” said Rick Ross, PC’s Associate Dean for Athletics and Student Life.

“That old floor held up for a long time, and was part of many memories, but it was overdue to be replaced.”

A ;ayer of rubber is placed between the boards on the new floor, providing a cushion for users’ knees and backs.

“It’s really going to be enjoyed by children, teens and adults in our community for hopefully another 50 years,” Ross said.

Because of state policies prohibiting use of college funds for major athletic improvements, a community-led fundraising drive was established. Under leadership of co-chairs Bruce Swenson and Tim Tucker, donations from came in from several local businesses, including First Federal, 7 Cedars Resort Properties, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Peninsula Bottling Co., Wilder Auto & RV and Bedford’s Craft Soda.

In addition, private donations came in from Peninsula College president Dr. Luke and Mary Jane Robins and PC board member Dr. Michael and Barbara Maxwell.

In all, donations covered the approximate $200,000 needed for the project to be completed last spring.

“We’re excited to have our first game on the new floor, and want to thank all of our generous community donors for making this possible,” Robins said.

“I am constantly humbled by how many people in this community value what we’re doing here at Peninsula,” Ross said. “This group of Pirate boosters and community corporate leaders stepped up at a time when a global pandemic was emerging and they made our new floor a reality.”