OVER 500 SOUTHLAND RESIDENTS PROUDLY TRAVEL TO RICH SOUTH-TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL FOR HISTORIC RIBBON CUTTING OF ALL NEW HIGH-TECH FIELD HOUSE

 

OVER 500 SOUTHLAND RESIDENTS PROUDLY TRAVEL TO 

RICH SOUTH-TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL FOR HISTORIC RIBBON CUTTING 

OF ALL NEW HIGH-TECH FIELD HOUSE

 

ELECTED LEADERS TO JOIN DISTRICT 227 IN CELEBRATING

 NEW 95,000 SQUARE FEET FACILITY

 

PREDOMINANTLY MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL IS SET TO SHOWCASE 

NEW SCIENCE LABS, CULINARY CLASSROOMS, ALONG 

WITH NEW AUDIO/VISUAL TECHNOLOGY 


 Dr. Johnnie Thomas- Superintendent of Rich Township High School District 227- and Andrea Bonds-School Board President of RTHS 227- are proud to announce the opening of the all new RTHS 227 Field House. The announcement comes as RTHS 227 kicks off the fall season with some great new resources.


227 Board Members, Community leaders, and the Executive team of RTHS broke ground on the project in April of 2021 to offer a new resource for the students of RTHS and to also meet the needs of the Athletic division. The local high school's new field house is 95,000 square feet. It will house three wooden basketball courts, a 200-meter track, a climbing wall, a 14 x 25-foot video board, and a state-of-the-art sound system. The new field house comes at a perfect time so athletes can begin preparing for the Winter sports season.


Featured in the new facility is the ROTC space, which is 4,415 square feet and contains storage for uniforms and weapons. Alongside that is a weight room that is 4,820 square feet.


The original auxiliary gym will now be utilized as the music area, which is 8,625 square feet, and will house two sections for their team choir and band. District 227 students will now also have access to an Audio/Visual Lab completed in July 2022. This space will allow scholars to learn more about the film and television industry. The goal is for students to start their own podcast and television station driven by the Film and Television pathway. Rich Township has added many other new updates, like its new science labs, and many students are excited to have access to them.


“I’m super excited to have access to the new Audio and Visual suite that I can practice being an on-air talent. As a kid, I grew up on YouTube, and the fact that we have something fun for us to do at school is really cool.” says an area Rich Township student.


“The Board of Education for RTHS 227 are extremely excited that this project has now come to fruition. It is a shining example of how communities of color can coalesce ideas, vision, and strategy for the benefit of our children. The RTHS Field House will now serve as the point of inception for America’s future business leaders, athletes, entertainers, and educators. “says RTHS 227 Board President Andrea Bonds.


“This is such a proud moment for our students, staff, and residents throughout the Southland. The quality of work performed by the developer was outstanding and the on-time completion was admirable considering the many obstacles presented from the pandemic. Moreover, we have a model of education that will benefit future Rich Township Raptors for decades.” says Rich Township High School District 227 Superintendent Dr. Johnnie Thomas.


Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin adds, “This project speaks to local and state leader’s commitment to investing in children. Far too often we hear of the struggles in which aspiring athletes, entertainers and other performers raise concerning the lack of resources during their high school years. But I’m grateful for working with leaders such as President Bonds, Superintendent Thomas and the RTHS Board of Education to ensure that our students will never have to speak of the lack of resources while attending RTHS. I’m proud to be an adopted Raptor!”


“Rich Township continues to satisfy the needs of our residents, but specifically of our children. I applaud the work of the RTHS School Board and Executive team. The completion of this project is a total and successful collaboration of our educators, community leaders, elected officials and residents. Together we can accomplish anything.” says Rich Township Supervisor and Democratic Committeeman Calvin Jordan.


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