Idaho Falls High School continues to face troubles

Idaho Falls School District 91 sent emails to Idaho Falls High School families explaining that volleyball games were to be moved to Bonneville High School. The games were moved because of a problem with the gym floor. This comes after the last weeks bond failure, that was intended to help build a new school.

“The best way to describe it was a sinkhole,” says Pat Lloyd, the athletic director for Idaho Falls High School. “You could actually see where it was below the level.”

A portion of gym floor sunk about 3 inches. It was due to a floor supporting joist that broke.

“It’s the kind of maintenance and ongoing repair work that we have to do with our high schools being as old as they are,” said Margaret Wimborne, the director of communications for Idaho Falls School District 91. “Idaho Falls High School was built in the early 1950’s. There are a number of issues that crop up during any given year.”

Maintenance and operation crews were able to reinforce and fix the broken joist as of Wednesday morning.

“For me when I look at it, I know exactly where it was,” Lloyd said. “Some little things stand out here and there. It is fixed to the point that we are still able to use the facility today for our classes and regular practices.”

The district says this is only a temporary fix. Structural engineers will be brought in to assess the gym as whole and see if there are any other places that need fixing.

“It’s just those ongoing issues that we can try and address with old buildings like these,” says Wimborne.

According to Idaho Falls High School, something like has not happened before in the past. A problem like this may be avoided in the future with a new high school.

“Anytime you’re talking about something new versus something old, of course you aren’t going to have the same problems that you do,” says Lloyd. “I think there is a need for new athletic facilities in School District 91. Not just indoor facilities but outdoor practice facilities as well. I think that’s one of our big needs within our school district.”

School District 91 wants to point out the quick response and fixture of the broken joist from the maintenance team.

It also wants to thank Bonneville High School for being so accommodating with switching schools last minute.