By Steven Stilt
The stained glass windows from Trout Gymnasium at the old Centralia High School will make their way to the new Trout Arena this summer.
Principal Reid Shipley reported at Monday’s school board meeting that the windows are currently being cleaned and repaired at the Emil Frei company in St. Louis. That process is expected to be completed around mid-March; however, installation of the windows in the new gym likely won’t take place until after commencement.
Shipley says the windows will be placed prominently on the south end of Trout Arena.
“We will take out the south end balcony wall. When it’s finished, if you’re standing on the free throw line at the south end basket, it will be right above where our student section, the ‘Orfanage,’ sits now. Coming in from the ticket booth area, walking into the gym, it should be very easily seen and displayed.”
Shipley notes that the campaign aimed at raising approximately $67,000 for the project has been extremely successful.
“We’re actually waiting on a final estimate to see. We think the $67,000 was pretty close, but we don’t know yet on the construction, so we still are accepting donations because we just don’t have a final cost of the project. We’re not sure how much we’ll need in the very end, but it’s gone very well.”
After the windows are installed in the new gym, officials will determine what lighting to use to best showcase the windows.
