The Athletics Department recently finished improving the Gil Bishop Sports Center, including the floor.
The Gil Bishop Sports Center work was started about three months ago and it was finished on Dec. 30, according to athletic director Ryan Beckwith.
Beckwith commented on how the gym turned out.
“I think it’s fantastic. It was a way for us to show some pride in Bakersfield College and when you see the red and white you will know where you’re at,” said Beckwith.
“Now our opponents will walk in and know that they’re in BC. It gives us that great college atmosphere, when before nothing really signified that it was our gym.”
He added that it wasn’t excess cost and the only thing that cost extra was the walls.
“Instead of refinishing it, we sanded it down. It’s the original floor, but we just put some style on it. It was something that didn’t cost too much, but made a huge difference,” he said.
According to Beckwith some of the things they did to the gym were painting the lower walls, stripping them and putting logos on them.
The tiles that were by the water fountain were eroded, so they were replaced. They also painted the banister and put the new BC athletic logo.
“We felt that Gil Bishop deserved the respect for everything he has done, so we thought the best way is by dressing it up and keeping it classic,” Beckwith said.
BC men’s basketball coach Rich Hughes commented on the gym.
“It was awesome what they did because the thing hadn’t been redone since ’93, it’s great. I really liked how they stripped down the floor and the new logo they put on center court,” he said.
Hughes added that the players were really excited to be playing in an improved gym.
“I think every player wants to play in a nice gym, not one that is outdated and I think it will help us in recruiting. I think when everything is finalized we will go from the worst gym in our conference to the best,” he said.
BC women’s basketball coach Paula Dahl also gave her thoughts on the gym.
“I love the gym. I’m excited and happy with what Beckwith has done. I think people need to come and check it out.
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time and it’s good to see what happens when we have a go-getter like Beckwith,” said Dahl.
Beckwith also said that their next project for the gym is to get championship banners for every sport that has a conference, state and national championship.