Faculty, staff and students returning to Arsenal Technical High School next week will see differences in their athletic, media and culinary arts departments.
Employees from Group 1001 — an Indianapolis-based financial services company — joined the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for a two-day volunteer project to renovate the school’s fitness spaces, athletic trainer’s room, media room and culinary arts wing.
RELATED: ‘A friend we never met’: First African American female graduate of Arsenal Tech finally honored
The enhancements were made possible through the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s five-year, $5 million partnership with Group 1001. This partnership supports the foundation’s initiative to assist underserved communities across the country.
“We’re here because Group 1001 is a huge supporter of the Ripken Foundation. They have provided funding to do what we call a community enhancement project,” said Assistant Vice President of Programs and Grants for the foundation Chris Rubright.
Arsenal Technical High School
The renovations took 48 hours, with around fifty Group 1001 employees assisting with the project on day one and twenty on day two.
“In the weight room, we’re going to put down a big strip of turf as well as get rid of a whole bunch of worn down or broken equipment. We’re replacing it with new equipment, cleaning up everything and put up some graphics to make it look more visually appealing,” said Rubright.
“In the training room, we’re ripping up the old carpet and then putting a whole bunch of storage solutions together, like cabinets and rolling cabinets.”
IPS District Director of Athletics Darren Thomas said the renovations for Arsenal Technical High School’s weight room totaled approximately $100,000.
“Arsenal Tech has a rich history. So, we don’t want to rest on it, but we want to build on it. That’s why it’s so critical that we maintain and keep up the facilities here,” said Thomas.
Upgrades and renovations
Rachael Matthews, vice president of corporate communications at Group 1001, said learning about the history of Arsenal Technical High School while preparing for the project was insightful.
“I think that was amazing that this is such a historical site, a school, it has a lot of history, and for the opportunity just to be part of that, and then also to be giving it back to the students here,” said Matthews.
Originally built as a U.S. Civil War Arsenal, the building became a public high school in 1912.
The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Students and staff will benefit from the renovations starting July 31, when the new school year at Arsenal Tech begins.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email jadej@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
