Winchester School Gym Demolition Approved After Structural Closure

WINCHESTER — Demolition of the long-closed Winchester Grade School gymnasium is moving forward after school board members approved contracts to remove the unsafe structure following months of closure caused by structural concerns.

The Winchester school board has approved bids totaling more than $318,000 for demolition work on the aging gym, including a contract with a Jacksonville firm to handle the main demolition and separate asbestos abatement work required before demolition can begin. The gym has been closed since January 15 after a worker discovered the ceiling sagging during the Winchester Invitational Tournament, prompting immediate safety concerns.

Emergency support columns were installed after the structural issue was discovered, but school officials determined the building could no longer be safely used for school activities. Since then, district leaders have been evaluating both demolition and long-term replacement plans.

School officials say demolition work is expected to take place sometime this summer, although an exact timeline has not yet been announced. The district continues developing plans for a new multi-purpose building to be constructed south of the current gym site, with the long-term goal of eventually replacing the gym entirely.

Superintendent Jeff Abell says district leaders hope the multi-purpose facility could be ready by winter.