HARROD — The ever-expanding Allen East wrestling program plans to start a fundraising campaign to build a new facility for the program.
The Allen East school board approved a measure that will allow the Allen East wrestling club to attempt to raise enough to build a 60-foot-by-100-foot practice facility next to the football/wrestling locker room in the grass section near the concession stand. The club, made up of elementary school and junior wrestlers as well as the high school members are setting a lofty goal of $200,000.
Space has become a concern, especially with the number of students wishing to participate continuing to grow as the program gets stronger and stronger.
“We practice behind the bleachers in the gymnasium,” said 18-year head wrestling coach Mike Abbey. “A lot of times there are buzzers, or whistles going off and it interrupts practice. On some occasions, we have had to end practice because they have to roll back the bleachers for a game. Then we have to put everything back together again the next day.”
Abbey said there was even an occasion where the bleachers were pulled over the wrestling mats. He said the school has grown “a great wrestling family” and it was time for better scheduling. They are also forced to compete for time with choir concerts, choir practices and school play practices.
“A lot of times they are pushed to the backburner, especially the youth program,” Abbey said. “With the program where it at, with dedicated and loyal parents and students, it is time to take the next step.”
Abbey added that the new facility will open behind the bleacher area where they currently practice for other programs that also face scheduling competition.
Abbey said the project is in its infant stages, and an engineer’s drawing or estimate has not been done yet. However, he said the weight room built cost about $50,000.
“We would like something a bit bigger than that,” Abbey said.
The program is discussing a takedown-a-thon where wrestlers seek pledges for each takedown in competition. Abbey said they also plan to discuss other events for raising money in the near future.
