Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
COBDEN — The Cobden Appleknockers have a brand new home. The school held an open house over the weekend to show off their new additions–a state of the art gymnasium, along with a weight room, extra class room, and cafeteria area.
The project is two years in the making, after the school’s old gym was deemed structurally unsafe, condemned, and demolished.
Superintendent Edwin Shoemate cut the ribbon to officially open the gym. He believes the addition will be a major plus for students, whether or not they are athletes.
Cobden’s new gym features a large open common area, that doubles as the school’s lunchroom. The gym will seat approximately 1000, a significant increase, one that will also include a student section.
There’s a video board on the wall as well as a display on the scorers table, which students will create content and help run.
Shoemate says the school will try to host as many events as possible in the future, both IHSA and summer events. Cobden was recently selected as hosts for boys and girls basketball regionals in February. Shoemate says the hope is to be able to host sectionals as well.
The first games in the gym will be Tuesday night with a girls and boys doubleheader.
