Allons Elementary Gym Floor Replacement Bids Opened

Overton County Schools working on the replacement of the gym floor at Allons Elementary School after years of flooding issues.

Director of Schools Donnie Holman said during periods of heavy rainfall, moisture rises from the ground and dampens the gym floor. He said the school has had to cancel basketball games and physical education classes because of the conditions.

“We want to have good facilities for all of our students,” Holman said. “And this is just something that’s been continuously causing a problem. Every time there would be a lot of moisture outside, it would cause buckling and cause issues with that floor, so we’re just really happy to be getting this issue resolved.”

Holman said he believes the replacement will cost some $188,000. Bids are in and will be presented to the Overton County Board of Education at its March meeting. He said the project will be funded partly through insurance, with ESSER money paying the rest.

“The Maintenance Department has fixed those moisture issues,” Holman said. “They’ve put in new drainage, and they’ve also worked on roof issues.”

Before the hardwood is replaced, a moisture barrier will be installed beneath the floor to be extra safe. Holman said as far as the floor itself, he expects an exact replica of the current floor, just with the added protection of the barrier.

Holman said he would be relieved to get this project underway and paid for without burdening taxpayers.

“The floor wasn’t necessarily aging, it’s just that this issue came about and caused problems,” Holman said.