Still mid-way through their first season, the South Arkansas Community College Stars are already looking better for next year as the school renovates their 80-year old gymnasium to give the team a designated on-campus court.
In December, SouthArk started an almost $700,000 renovation project to their historic Gym building, which is located on their West Campus next to the 115-year old Thomas Administration Building.
The renovations are funded through a grant for $691,000, which SouthArk received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Dr. Derek Moore, SouthArk’s vice president for students services and athletic director, said he thinks the renovations will be positive for both the team and the rest of SouthArk’s student body.
“There are multiple uses we’ll have besides basketball,” Moore said. “We believe it’s going to bring a lot of positivity.”
Along with the Stars’ basketball games, the Gym will also host other student activities and some classes; if other intramural sports are developed in the future, those could be held there too.
Originally built in 1940, the Gym is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the 1940 Works Progress Administration Gymnasium.
Moore said the renovations will include installing a new heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) system, which a previous News-Times report noted would be the largest expense; new flooring; bleacher modifications to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to make space for a scores table; and some upgrades to the building’s electrical systems to improve energy efficiency. A scoreboard donated to the school by First Financial Bank will also be installed.
“We’ll be doing some painting as well, some fresh painting,” Moore said.
The Stars have worked hard to shine their first year on the court, and the community has responded. The team ranks fifth in home attendance average and seventh in total home attendance against other teams included in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The team is also one of the most prolific shooting teams in the NJCAA.
The Stars are currently 3-9 with nine games remaining in the season. The next game, where they will play Southern Arkansas University – Tech will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the SAU-Tech Court in East Camden.
“We really appreciate the City of El Dorado and the community for coming out to support SouthArk basketball,” Moore said. “We want that momentum to continue and be even greater as we bring our basketball games to campus. We’re really appreciative of the support from the community.”
Next year, the college hopes to get the women’s team off the ground. Heath Waldrop, marketing and communications coordinator for SouthArk, said Coach Nate Davis is currently recruiting student athletes.
Moore said the college has wanted to hold home games for the Stars on campus since the team was introduced last year. Currently, home games are held at the Barton Junior High School gym, and the team splits their practice between Barton and the SouthArk Gym.
The renovations to the SouthArk Gym are expected to be completed in May. The Stars’ second season will begin Oct. 1 with their first practice in the renovated building.
“They’re making progress,” Moore said. “They’re doing a great job there.”
To learn more about the rest of the SouthArk Stars’ season, visit southarkstars.com.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].