SENATOBIA – On Wednesday, June 22, workers began replacing the gymnasium floor inside Howard Coliseum, a major renovation in what could be many for the building constructed in 1974. From start to finish, the project is scheduled to take 40 business days.

Current head basketball coaches Jimmy Adams and Don Edwards as well as former assistant coach Shane Oakley pushed hard for the renovation for several years, which was approved for the 2010-11 budget year. Because of the renovation to the Student Union, however, the project was put off until the summer of 2011.

The old maple floor in the gymnasium was put down in 1982 and is being removed and replaced at a cost of close to $100,000. Sports Floors, Inc. out of Memphis (www.sportsfloorsinc.com) provided the winning bid, beating out two other potential companies. 

"At the time the floor was put down, it was the best in the business," athletic director Cameron Blount said. "As the years have gone by, there have been more leg injuries and we knew it was time for a change. The old floor served its purpose and we are hoping the new one will do the same for another 30 years."

As of July 5, the floor has been completely stripped and the wood is acclimating to room temperature. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in mid-August.