Since the start of the West Branch 2025 school year, the auxiliary gym, also known as the old gym, has been filled with school supplies and equipment due to a lack of storage caused by ongoing construction at the elementary school. While this storage solution is necessary, it has created several challenges for high school classes and athletic programs.

Physical education classes have faced the greatest impact. Without access to the old gym, students are limited to the main gym for indoor activities or to outdoor lessons when the weather allows. Mild fall temperatures have helped, but this situation is only temporary. PE teachers have had to adjust their plans because they are sharing a single gym or relying on outdoor space when possible.

As winter approaches, conditions are expected to worsen. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures will eventually make outdoor activities impossible, further restricting PE lessons. Gym classes are not the only programs affected. The basketball teams, whose seasons are just getting underway, have already encountered scheduling complications. Both the girls’ and boys’ varsity teams must now share a single gym and arrange practice times that work for everyone. This becomes even more complicated when adding the junior varsity teams, resulting in four teams relying on one space, with more teams expected to need it soon.

The West Branch Warriors boys’ basketball coach, Coach Emigh, explained the situation, saying, “The old gym closure has led to weekend practices or just odd practice timing to attempt to get players in for workouts in the new gym. We have had to lengthen our open gyms a bit to try and make up for the time missed on player skill development, due to the old gym closure.” Despite these challenges, the coach believes the impact on the team’s overall performance has been manageable.

PE teacher David Learish feels the strain more heavily, noting, “It has been a challenge on many days to juggle PE units and both the girls’ and boys’ PE classes.”

The gym closure continues to limit PE classes and create scheduling complications for athletic teams.

Update: As of Nov. 24, 2025, the auxiliary gym has been cleared of all contents, and PE and athletic programs have resumed using the space.