WARE – Students at Ware Junior Senior High School (WJSHS) will soon see improvements made to the existing fitness area after the School Committee approved up to $90,000 for the remodeling.

During their Sept. 14 meeting, Superintendent Marlene DiLeo shared the schematic design that Athletic Director Thomas Shamgochian obtained from Gronk Fitness. The design includes new flooring, a cardio area and free weights throughout the high school gym.

DiLeo noted that this fitness area has not been touched since the school was built. “The only thing that we have addressed is the replacing of some of the upholstery on some of the pieces. Right now, there’s not much cardio,” she added, while referencing the lack of a “good functioning treadmill.”

She continued, “I think this would really benefit a number of our students whether they’re students on our sports teams or our PE (physical education) classes, in addition to our new after school program which will be starting shortly.”

To fund this project, DiLeo said they will utilize Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds. As the School Committee decided to use these ESSER funds for infrastructure work, DiLeo said this would be a “good addition to the plans that we pretty much have in place.”

Shamgochian went on to share that this project has been in the works since before COVID-19.
He shared that G&G Fitness, the company responsible for the improvements, is a family-owned business with 30 years’ experience. Some of their work at local high schools includes Springfield Central, Tewksbury High School and Brookline High School, among others.

When G&G came to Ware to view the space, Shamgochian said they rated it a 9 out of 10 based on the size. Although the space is limited, he shared that the quality equipment being installed is worth the funding.

With some of the new equipment, the timeline to receive it is about 14 to 16 weeks. “I think we’d have time to take the equipment out, paint, maybe do some lighting and prepare the space as the equipment came in and hopefully have it for the end of December,” said Shamgochian.

Depending on leftover funds, he explained that either the school or a hired company would be brought in to install the floors. If necessary, he assured that the school has the correct people to get the job done.
DiLeo shared that the materials required for this project will cost $81,362.67, to come out of the ESSER III unused and allocated funds. Shamgochian added that this price includes delivery, installation and the final product, other than the floor.

To provide some leeway on the funding required, Chairman Christopher Desjardins made a motion to approve up to $90,000 for the remodeling of the fitness room at the high school.
The motion passed with unanimous approval from the board.

Fall open houses

At Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School, the pre-K and kindergarten open houses will take place on Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Grades 1 through 3 will take place on Sept. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The middle school’s open house will be on Sept. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Lastly, the WJSHS will host their open house on Oct. 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Safe Routes to School

DiLeo shared that she recently signed up to take part in the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program. She explained that she is working with Town Manager Stuart Beckley in hopes of applying for federal funding for sidewalks on Gould Road.