The River Valley School District held a grand opening celebration for their new fieldhouse yesterday.
The Thomas L. Shoemaker Field House is located next to the new football facility on the River Valley Blairsville Campus. It was named for him as he was one of the best linemen in the district’s history and also was a state champion in the javelin in 1968, the year he graduated.
The project had a very tight deadline, as the school board required the new facility to be built in time for the start of the 2025 school year. Contracts were approved in December of 2024, making it a nine-month turnaround to have everything ready. Superintendent Philip Martell was very complimentary of the crews who worked on the project.
Martell said that with the addition of the fieldhouse, River Valley is looking to play host for many events.
On top of that, the school could host football playoff games with the new facility.
The field house will house both the Panthers’ and visitors’ locker rooms, a fitness center, a large group instruction room, golf simulator and concession stand.
