In Bend, Oregon, Crook County Middle School has completed a brand‑new 4,000‑square‑foot wrestling room, a project driven entirely by local volunteers and community fundraising. The dedicated space will give middle‑school wrestlers a safe, modern area for practice and competition, strengthening the school’s athletic program.
Community effort fuels the project
The facility was made possible by contributions from the Crook County Mat Club, local businesses, wrestling families and dozens of volunteers who donated time, labor and money. Jim Fewell, a representative of the Mat Club, helped lead the fundraising campaign, coordinating donations and rallying support throughout the district. Kevin Spencer of Empire Construction & Development also played a key role, overseeing the construction and ensuring the project stayed on schedule.
Ribbon‑cutting ceremony scheduled
The Crook County School District and the Mat Club will host a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the middle school. Local media, wrestling families and community members are invited to attend and celebrate the achievement.
Impact on students and the community
School officials say the new wrestling room will not only improve training conditions for current athletes but also attract more students to the sport, fostering teamwork, discipline and physical fitness. The project exemplifies how a tight‑knit community can come together to enhance local schools without relying on state or federal funding.
Looking ahead
With the wrestling room now ready, Crook County Middle School plans to host regional tournaments and youth clinics, providing additional opportunities for young athletes across the county. The school district hopes the facility will become a hub for community events, reinforcing the partnership between families, local businesses and the public‑school system.
For more information about the ribbon‑cutting ceremony or ways to support future school projects, contact the Crook County School District office.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
