Ocracoke gym now open!

New gym opens in Ocracoke

Photos and copy courtesy Connie Leinbach, Island Free Press

Ocracoke community celebrated an historic day Oct. 20 when the Ocracoke School dedicated a brand new, regulation sized gym for the Ocracoke Dolphins.

“This is a long-awaited event for the island and the school,” noted Dr. Randolph Latimore, Hyde County Schools superintendent, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the new facility built over the spring and summer. “This was a tremendous effort by so many people.”

The first basketball games will be played Dec. 6 against Mattamuskeet High starting at 3 p.m. with the middle school team. The public is welcome to attend. Admission will be charged.

Latimore, along with School Board Chair Thomas Whitaker and six other Ocracoke business people, held the hedge sheers that officially cut the ribbon.

Although all the costs for the new facility are not in, Padgett estimated it will cost about $100,000 when everything is done, including new sidewalks and grass sod around the back.

Ocracoke School principal Walter Padgett, who became the school principal last year, has been enhancing the current athletic offerings of cross-country and basketball with the addition of middle school boys’ baseball, and girls’ softball and volleyball, which will begin in the spring.

Dolphins Booster Club Interim President David Scott Esham was instrumental in raising an additional $50,000 to purchase new scoreboards, wall pads and goals, Padgett noted.

The newly launched booster club will do a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year and membership is open to anyone.

Board of Education Chairman Thomas Whitaker

spoke to students and staff about the new feature at Ocracoke School.