BHS Fieldhouse's special day scheduled to unfold

(Published Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 in Examiner-Enterprise)

This is a special day for Bartlesville Public Schools as we play host to a dedication ceremony and open house for the new Bartlesville High School Fieldhouse.

The state-of-the-art facility has a seating capacity of approximately 2,200 and can roll out the red carpet for sporting events such as basketball and volleyball as well as other activities such as graduation and prom. We are truly blessed to have such a fine facility.

We welcome all of those in and around the community to join us at today's open house event, which is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. Those who visit will get to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony and then tour the fieldhouse. They'll get to see all that comprises this fine facility, from the stellar scoreboard which hangs over center court to the superb hospitality room.

Then, at 3 p.m., some Bruins from years past will gather for an alumni game on the fieldhouse hardwood. This will be a great day for Bartlesville pride.

Speaking of Bartlesville pride, I would like to give a special salute to our Heritage Committee, which helped us procure some of the treasures from our sports history. Those who tour the lobby which leads to the fieldhouse's seating area can get a glimpse of our past. Enclosed in glass are souvenirs from College High School , Sooner High School and Douglas High School . Once the fans begin to file into the arena, many of them will walk past a trophy case which houses some state championship hardware. Perhaps with the fine coaching staffs and players we have competing in the new fieldhouse, we'll soon be adding to the collection.

Today's open house will offer a unique view of the fieldhouse, which was constructed to allow access to the floor only to athletes, coaches and other authorized personnel. Thus, while the athletes enter the floor on the lower level, fans arrive on the upper level as they make their way to their respective seats. But during today's open house, the areas which would normally allow for limited access will be available for viewing. And, that makes for a great opportunity.

The community should see the spacious locker room areas, which feature tasteful wooden lockers, common spaces with televisions, meeting rooms for film sessions, coaches' offices and restrooms. They should come by and see the training area, which has an office for BHS trainer Alan Mount, a whirlpool and several treatment tables.

Then there's the hospitality room, which is perfect for gathering and watching the game through the windows while enjoying a refreshment.

Really, there's almost too much to mention about this fantastic fieldhouse. That's why I urge everyone to join us for the open house.

As for those who do join us, please take the time to peruse the special A+ section which comes as a supplement in today's edition of the Examiner-Enterprise. Not only does the section offer insight into the facility itself, it recognizes many of the fine people who helped make it such a special place. The bond issue was instrumental in allowing for the construction of the fieldhouse, but corporate sponsors such as ConocoPhillips, Arvest Bank, the 66 Federal Credit Union and KWON 1400 AM/KYFM 100.0 FM/KRIG 104.9 showed their generosity as well, allowing for items such as the scoreboard, the message board, the TVs and the basketball goals. We're thrilled to be able to mention the individuals who served on the various committees surrounding the fieldhouse as well.

BHS boys varsity basketball coach Tim Bart, who sat on the Fieldhouse Bond Design Steering Committee, said that in 20 years, he wants whoever is coaching in the facility to feel they're in a special place. I truly believe the BHS Fieldhouse is a special place and will be well into the future.