Havens, K. (2010). 76 (9)
Some parts of a school building do not age gracefully. At many elementary and middle schools--particularly those built in the 1960s or 1970s--old gyms are as useful (and attractive) as a worn-out pair of sneakers. To save money 20 years ago, school districts often used one space as a combination gym/lunch room/auditorium. Old gymnasiums offer hidden opportunities for schools to take advantage of newfound space. Instead of abandoning them, schools should view these gyms as blank canvasses for creating new rooms or areas for specialized programs and activities. Virtually every combination gym/lunch room or underutilized auxiliary gym is a viable candidate for re-purposing. The key in planning for the adaptive reuse of gyms is to think outside the box and outside the classroom
