Appleknockers in need of a new home


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

COBDEN — Cobden school administrators, coaches and players are dealing with the reality of no home gym for quite some time after Tom Crowell Gym was condemned due to structural issues.

Superintendent Edwin Shoemate says the school has reached out to local legislators to try to secure emergency funding. Once they know how much will be available, a building committee will work on plans for the replacement for its nearly 70 year old facility. The hope is that the new gym could be completed by next Christmas.

In the interim, the Appleknockers’ volleyball team will practice in the school’s smaller, second gym. That gym does not have enough seating to host matches, so Cobden will play its “home” matches this fall at Jonesboro Elementary.

The practice schedule will get complicated come basketball season, with both boys and girls high school teams in addition to junior high sports. Sites for “home” basketball games are currently being finalized.

All of the jerseys, equipment, and trophies had to quickly be removed before the gym was officially locked up Monday. The new gym will be located in the same location, with school officials saying the goal is to not only make it a community hub, but a facility that will be a source of pride for Appleknockers past, present, and future.