[September 23, 2011] Yuba College's renovated facility is gym-dandy Tweet Sep 23, 2011 (Appeal-Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Sneakers squeak across freshly varnished floors, balls bounce no matter where they hit and there is air conditioning. Athletes, fans and students are enjoying the newest improvement to Yuba College's Linda campus -- a gymnasium remodeled with Measure J funds. The $5.4 million project included a new roof, safety and mechanical upgrades and modernization, and although finishing touches are still being made, the volleyball team played the college's first game in the building Thursday. Many people say the new floor, lighting and stands make the most dramatic difference, along with air conditioning. "When I took this job 11 years ago, I never figured I would get to coach in something like this," said men's basketball coach Doug Cornelius. Students work hard and they deserve quality facilities, he said. One of the greatest improvements is the floor, which has no dead spots. "Before, you'd be dribbling a basketball and it would stop bouncing. It would just fall to the floor and die," Cornelius said. When returning players started practice Monday, Cornelius was happy to see their excitement after all the juggling to accommodate construction last year. The building was done in phases to allow students use of the building during construction, which caused delays but was probably the best option, said athletic director Rod Beilby. In addition to sports, the gym is also used for badminton, physical education, dance and aerobics classes. The men's side of the gymnasium is mostly finished, as is the aerobics and dance room. On Thursday, hip hop music pounded from the new acoustics system in the weight room as young men lifted dumbbells and pushed themselves in resistance exercises. They were working out on a newly padded floor, solely in the glow of sunshine from overhead skylights. The new weight room is more spacious, cleaner and brighter -- more conducive to a good workout, said health and physical education professor Carey Lane. "It's certainly an improvement," Lane said. "When (the gym) is done, it's going to be one of the premiere places in the community and a beacon for other colleges." After sweeping Lassen Community College 3-0 in volleyball Thursday, player Brittany Keyes said the new gym is a facility she would be proud to have guests see. Gone is the jaundiced lighting and no longer do athletes have to huddle around plug-in fans to stay cool during breaks. The lighting, air conditioning and new floors are all so improved, she said. "Even the water fountains -- the water tastes good," Keyes said. "They did a real good job." Women's basketball coach Steve Sain said the remodel will help recruit athletes and gives students pride in their school. "It's starting to have that real college feel when you come on campus," he said. Spacious plastic bleachers have replaced tight wooden ones and include premium fold-down seats with back rests. There are team rooms for all sports, refurbished locker rooms and multiple bathrooms. Equipment manager Tomas Rodriguez said his new setup is equivalent to that of professional sports. Each team has its own rack with hangers for uniforms, shelves for boxes of balls and rows of helmets and is now in one room instead of three. "You are more productive, you know where things are," he said. "I suit 60 to 80 football players, volleyball and soccer and I have gray hairs as a young man. This year it's a lot easier, not so crazy." Warming up for basketball practice, player Sean Hayes said he loves the new gymnasium and thinks it will draw more people to the games. "It shows the community cares about the school," he said. "We just have to do our part -- keep winning." The gym is not the only new facility athletes are breaking in. The outdoor athletic complex had its first home football game of the season Saturday, and the players stomped West Valley Community College 46-7 under stadium lights -- a first at the campus. Measure J was passed by voters in the eight counties served by the district in November 2006 to repair, renovate and add facilities for community college services. The district had 20 years to issue the bonds and the program is financially at its halfway mark, with $95 million issued in the A and B series in 2007. Still to be completed are building renovations and service centralization at the Linda campus, the Sutter County Center in Yuba City, multipurpose and performing arts buildings in Woodland and upgrades to the Clear Lake campus. Projects completed or nearing completion include the new Allied Health and Safety building, the Colusa County Outreach Facility in Williams and renovation of the 700 building in Woodland. CONTACT reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4783 ___ (c)2011 the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) Visit the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) at www.appeal-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]