After a two-year process of demolition and construction, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to commemorate the opening of the new gym. The district allocated $40 million from Measure L to build the gym, while the Parents Group raised funds for equipment, including the scorer’s table and weights.

The new facility, which has two floors and a multi-purpose room, is already in use. It accommodates the new dance class and team, physical education classes, and the volleyball team. After two years of practicing at Mills High School, senior volleyball player Ava Scatena said she is excited for the team to finally have a home court.

“When we didn’t have a gym, it kind of taught us how to be in survival mode because the other team had an advantage all the time. And so having it now, it feels like home again,” Scatena said.

During the ribbon-cutting, senior and student-athlete Nick Armstrong said in his speech that he looks forward to the sense of community the new gym will bring to the school.

“Not only does the gym allow me to spend more time with my teammates, it builds a sense of community and pride for the entire student body. Although events out on the field are great, nothing compares to the roaring crowds of the indoor events,” Armstrong said during the speech.

In addition to its community benefits, sophomore volleyball player Gabi Sanchez said she appreciates the convenience of having the gym on campus.

“One of the reasons why we live where we live is because I live super close to this high school,” Sanchez said. “So, having practices at Mills, it was definitely challenging. I had to get the rides from friends a lot because it’s on the other side of Burlingame.”

The lack of indoor space also created challenges for the physical education (PE) department. Department Head and junior varsity volleyball coach Stephanie Lee said the weather was one of the biggest obstacles.

“Rainy days and really hot days were really difficult because we’d have to come inside, and that meant we were pushing a teacher out of their classroom on their prep,” Lee said. “Also, consistently raining days there would be like a week where a kid wouldn’t have any PE, which is a bummer.”

As a volleyball coach, Lee said she has already seen the new gym encourage more student interactions.

“After school, you can just see all the different athletes interacting in the hallways,” Lee said. “It just feels good to be back at a gym that says the Panthers on it.”

Athletic Director John Philipopoulos, who also spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said he is grateful to everyone who helped make the gym’s completion possible.

“Today is more than just the unveiling of a new building. It is the celebration of a vision and a new beginning that will serve generations of BHS students, athletes, and families for many years to come,” Philipopoulos said during the speech.