Planning & Design Meetings Auxiliary Gym Concept Meeting Notes 9/16/2009 - Minutes
New Gymnasium and Gymnasium Modernization
Gunn High School
16 September 2009
Page 1
GUNN HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN MEETING NOTES No.1
DATE: 16 September 2009, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
SUBJECT: New Gymnasium and Gymnasium Modernization
ATTENDEES: Tom Jacoubowsky, GHS AP Tom Hodges, OCMI/PAUSD
Chris Horpel, GHS PE Aimee Lopez, OCMI/PAUSD
Don Briggs, GHS PE Erwin Lee, DLM
Sarah Stapp, GHS PE
Matt McGinn, GHS PE
The purpose of the meeting was to review and discuss the conceptual design that was
presented to the BOE on 9/8/09. The following are highlights of the meeting:
1. Erwin began with a recap of what was presented at the 9/8/09 BOE meeting and the
comments and concerns that were brought up during the meeting. The primary
comment from the BOE was: how will the two gymnasiums be used or function
together?
The PE staff shared what they see as happening in each of the facilities. They are:
New Gymnasium:
• Becomes the primary athletic facility and the main venue for competitions
• With the large seating capacity, becomes the main assembly space for the
campus
• The higher, clear ceiling height makes it the primary volleyball and
badminton space
Existing Gymnasium:
• Becomes an additional practice facility which is at a premium for teams
(there are five basketball teams that need court time—starts at 3:30 with
each having a two-hour block of time)
• Can be used during a tournament set up when both facilities are required for
multiple games to take place simultaneously
• Expands indoor PE facilities—currently have up to 5 PE classes at a time
• AP testing location
In summary, the new gymnasium will increase flexibility for the PE and athletic
programs as well as the campus.
2. An additional comment from the BOE was if the new gymnasium needed to be
connected to the existing gymnasium via a covered walkway. Erwin indicated that
DLM will explore the possibilities. It was noted by the PE group that this was not a
priority and that they do not want to reduce scope to add this item.
New Gymnasium and Gymnasium Modernization
Gunn High School
16 September 2009
Page 2
3. In order to decrease the overall dimension of the bleacher when in the open position,
it was suggested by Chris and Don that the narrower walking deck be used. Erwin
pointed out that this will result in a slightly steeper seating configuration which was
acceptable.
4. The current, conceptual floor plan has the wrestling room in the new gymnasium
and the weight room and fitness area in the converted wresting room. However,
much discussion has taken place among the PE department and there is now
consensus that the weight room and fitness area should be moved to the new
gymnasium and the wrestling room should remain in the existing gymnasium albeit
in a converted larger space.
The following concerns or comments were discussed regarding this change in
program:
• Request that the square footage of the weight room and fitness area be
increased over that which is currently shown for the wrestling room.
Possibly an extra five feet in width. It was noted that this is purely a matter
of budget and it would need to be determined if that is possible.
• Provide a covered, outdoor area adjacent to the weight room and fitness
area between the building and the proposed basketball courts. However, it
was noted that this is a compromise solution if the building cannot be
expanded which is the preferred solution.
• Include operable windows for ventilation and possibly overhead sectional
doors for a more expansive opening
• Ability to physically divide the space into two by use of a roll-up curtain—
solid on the lower portion and netting on the upper portion
• The fitness area should have a resilient floor material such as wood. “Tuff-
flex’ was also indicated as a possible floor material.
• Walls should have full height mirrors and possibly ballet bars
• The storage area currently shown for the wrestling room would need to be
expanded to accommodate the weight room and fitness programs.
5. If the wrestling room remains in its current location, Chris indicated that a storage
room would need to be included. This is best located in an area of the room that
does not obstruct sight lines in the room. Don noted that PE storage could also be
included with access from the existing gym.
6. An alternate location for the three new basketball courts was suggested in order to
save some of the existing natural grass area. The suggested location is where the
existing sand volleyball courts are located. This location was not desirable from the
school’s perspective for the following reasons:
• Two of the courts would need to be end to end, which is not the preferred
configuration—not usable for street hockey and team handball in this
configuration.
• Perimeter chain link fence is desired and this will be an awkward
configuration to fence
• Concern of noise since it will be near the new classroom building
• Compatibility with the existing amphitheater
• Eventually, would like to have the sand volleyball courts refurbished
New Gymnasium and Gymnasium Modernization
Gunn High School
16 September 2009
Page 3
In summary, the preference is to leave the basketball courts where currently
proposed.
7. Don and Chris indicated that they would like to convert the existing weight room to
a PE classroom and would like to have some of the interior partitions removed.
Erwin indicated that they would take a look at the existing conditions. However,
Erwin cautioned that one of the goals required to fund the new gymnasium is to
reduce the scope of the modernization in the existing gymnasium.
.
END
Prepared by Erwin Lee of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise in writing if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate.
cc: Attendee
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