The local fieldhouse in town was damaged by a tornado last November. The Fieldhouse (as it was named) opened in 1928 and was once the biggest high school gymnasium in the United States. Originally it had a seating capacity of 10,000, now just under 7,000. During the local Sectional of the State Tournament every year, people would sit in the aisles and they would sell standing room tickets, which would boost the attendance back up around 10,000. For high school basketball. Yes, it was a part of Hoosier Hysteria ( One year they held the State Finals in Indianapolis in the domed football stadium and had over 60,000 people there for the Championship game). Locally, my old high school has had eight State Champions play there.
Over the years, there have been rock concerts by big name groups there and every year it was where the annual Christmas Sing was performed by local school's choirs (I sung there myself in the sixth grade). As I stated before, a tornado damaged the roof at one of the entrances. No local high school sports there this past year and no Christmas sing (the Sing was moved to the local college). Everyone here has been on pins and needles over what was to become of this historical palace until today.
An article on the front page of our local newspaper confirmed that repairs are to be done and should be finished in time for the start of basketball season. You might not think much of the news, might even wonder why the city would want to repair this old building. In a state where basketball is king, history matters. We here are proud of the fact that our alma mater leads all time in championships. Generations have attended games there. For me, it's where I had my first date. My high school graduation took place there as well. Had you ever attended a game in this shrine at Sectional time, where the game is either tied or a one point difference with seconds ticking away on the clock, you'd know what I've felt on numerous occasions.
It's history. It's memories. It's a grand old palace that should be saved for generations to come. And now, thank God, it will be.
Oh, happy day!
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