The long wait for the right conditions has ended for the Warren County R-III School District. Following a delay of installation on the new gymnasium floor at Warrenton High School, the beginning stages of the basketball court are finally being put into place.Crews began laying down the surface on Monday, beginning with the subfloor. The process was delayed about two months after moisture levels in the concrete did not reach the recommended levels.On Friday crews measured the levels again, finding that they met the required moisture readings of 85 percent or less.“I’ve been ecstatic,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Aaron Jones. “For the past three or four weeks we’ve been sitting and waiting. You go in and don’t see anything being done and get antsy. To see progress being made again brings the excitement back.”During the onset of the delay in November, the school board voted not to expedite the drying process with a special treatment that would have cost the district an additional $13,500. It was determined that the impact of waiting two to three months would be minimal on actual sporting events. It has, however, prevented flexibility in winter sports practices.Jones said crews will lay down the maple flooring next, followed by a sand and seal. That process should take about three weeks, before the installation of the bleachers. The final application will be the game lines and finishing coat.Jones said the facility should be in full working mode by mid-March, as the other elements of the building are coming to form as well. The mats for the new wrestling practice area are in house but need to lay flat for a week before being installed.On the mezzanine level, the batting cages have been set up and await the beginning of spring sports practices on Feb. 26.“We are glad to finally be moving along again, so that our students can soon get in there and use the new facilities,” said Jones.

A new practice space for the Warrenton High School wrestling program is part of a multipurpose gymnasium at the school. Pictured, students turn wrestling mats as part of the settling process before final installation. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe

The installation of a new gymnasium floor at Warrenton High School is underway again, after humidity levels in the concrete finally reached required readings. Crews began laying the subfloor on Monday, and the facility is expected to be complete in mid to late March. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe