A massive remodel of the Moorpark College gymnasium is getting underway after being unchanged for nearly half a century, according to athletic trainer Vance Manakas.

“That’s on of the original buildings on campus that has never been touched in almost 50 years,” Manakas said. “If you go and look at the lockers, the lockers are the original ones they had 50 years ago. And you can imagine as a student, what your parents used, you’d be using the same locker as your parents.”

This project will cover most of the gym except the basketball court, which has been recently renovated. The bleachers, scoreboards, and locker rooms will be remodeled. Classrooms and weight rooms will be added, and existing facilities will be rearranged. The project will cost an estimated $10 million and renovations will take place throughout the next few years, according to John Sinutko, director of facilities, maintenance and operation, who is in charge of this project.

“We’re hoping to be done re-occupying the gymnasium in 2 1/2 years,” said Sinutko.”About a year from now we hope to have the swing space (area where users of the gym may go to when construction is underway) done to start demolition.”

With the remodeling of the gym taking place throughout the next couple years Sinutko and his team have a major responsibility to make sure this project stays on schedule without any major delays.

Those who will benefit the most from this project will be athletes, coaches, and fans who attend sporting events in the gym. such as Carly Campbell, a 19-year-old, communication studies major. Campbell is a part of the women’s volleyball team and has an idea of the influence this new remodel may have for high-school athletes that are thinking of playing a sport here at Moorpark.

“A newly remodeled gym would definitely be great if I was thinking about going to Moorpark,” said Campbell. “When I first decided to come to Moorpark the Academic Center building was new and the facilities were really nice so it was definitely a factor for me.”

With the gym getting a brand new look, raider athletes will have a place in which they can have pride to call home.

“I love being a raider and would take pride no matter what our facility looks like, but a remodeled one would be great and fun to play in,” said Campbell.

Non-student-athletes express what they think about the remodel and how it will affect the campus.

“I think it’s a great idea, the new look [and] improved bleachers will probably draw more attention to the gym sports and increase the turnout,” said 18-year-old, pre-med major, Charles Caraccilo. “I think it’s pretty cool to put money towards things that aren’t just classrooms and football. With the remodeled gym I’d try to go to as many games as I can.”

Sinutko is looking forward to finally getting the gym remodel underway after going unchanged since it was first constructed in 1967.

“I’ve been here for thirteen years and one project that would always be put to the side was the remodeling of the gym,” said Sinutko. “It’s very gratifying to take this one off the list.”