Staff Reports
Collierville Schools officials, along with local dignitaries and community members, celebrated the completion of Collierville Elementary School’s new gymnasium with a ribbon cutting event and open house on Tuesday evening.
The event began with opening words from current Collierville Elementary Pri-
ncipal Michael Ruiz, Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner (’68), Collierville Schools Board of Education Chair Wright Cox, and Director of Schools Dr. Gary Lilly.
Families and community members then had the opportunity, led by students from the Safety Patrol Team at Collierville Elementary, to tour the new gymnasium.
“I could not be more thrilled about the expanded opportunities that this gymnasium will provide to the students at Collierville Elementary School,” said Lilly. “I trust that they will enjoy it as much as we adults have enjoyed designing and constructing it for them.”
Substantial completion of the new gymnasium was accomplished in early May, and it will be ready for student use as early as tomorrow. The 16,000 square foot facility features a wood court and stage, restrooms, storage rooms, a coaches’ office, a bookstore, and two Lüs. The new bleachers will seat approximately 400 people, and the entire facility has a capacity of 950 people.
Collierville Elementary becomes the third of the Collierville Schools to implement the Lü system. Lü transforms any space into
an active and immersive educational environment where kids are engaged physically, intellectually, and socially-emotionally. Each Lü system includes a high-definition laser projector, a movement detection camera, a powerful sound system and a fully automated multi-colored lighting system to create immersive magical environments.
The existing gymnasium at Collierville Elementary was built in 1970 and was once connected to the original school building, which has since been demolished. For many years, a portion of the gymnasium also served as the Collierville High School varsity football team locker room. Due to the building’s age and extensive repair needs, the Collierville Schools Board of Education approved construction of a new gymnasium and eventual demolition of the original gym at a cost of nearly $4.2 million.
According to Cox, “After 50 years of memories, it was time to provide our students with a bright, new, multi-function, recreational space in which they could learn, grow, and thrive. We are proud of the final product, and we know that our Collierville Elementary School families will be too.”
