Rigby looks to dominate athletically with new 60,000-square-foot Broulim’s Fieldhouse
RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – Jefferson School District 251 officially unveiled the brand-new, 60,000-square-foot Broulim’s Field House at a ribbon-cutting – just in time for the first bell.
"Dad and I said, ‘We got to do something here to help these kids stay in southeastern Idaho.’ So, we're just proud of this track and this field house,” said Broulim’s Fresh Food CEO Robert Broulim, who graduated from Rigby High School in 1986. “It will encompass and help all of the spring sports."
Traditionally, Rigby athletes have had to dig out their tennis courts and track from underneath the snow and ice.
"At the beginning of track season, we have had to shovel our track outside just so that we could use it and access it,” said Head Track Coach Monica Seward. “I had 194 kids on the track team last season. So having that large amount of students to be able to use this facility and use it to its fullest potential will be a game changer for our team and our program."
The Fieldhouse features state-of-the-art facilities for “pole vault, high jump, long jump, baseball, two batting cages, softball, football, soccer, shotput and discus,” said Vonnie Lue Broulim, wife of Richard ‘Dick’ Broulim, whose father founded the grocery chain. ”It also has retractable nets for multiple sports, a track with five lanes – two for sprinting – three tennis courts, and six pickleball courts.”
The community can also access or rent the Broulim’s Fieldhouse in mornings, evenings and on weekends.
Students are motivated to perform at their peak levels in the new Broulim’s Fieldhouse.
"We're going to be able to throw here all year round and especially in the winter months,” said Easton Hammer, a senior aiming to set a school record in discus and shot put. “It's really going to benefit us and it's obviously going to be awesome. I'm super excited."
The coaches are just as thrilled.
"It's going to be a huge game changer – being able to be inside all the time when it's cold and windy and snowy and just being able to train all the athletes that we have in the program,” Seward said.
The Fieldhouse is a gift that will bless generations of Rigby student-athletes.
"It's been a blessing to me to be able to get to know the Broulim's family and to see their vision," said Jefferson School District 251 Superintendent Chad Martin.
With the doors officially open, Trojan athletes are pumped to train in their new home.
"Thank you so much! I feel like this is like, this is the best thing that happened all of my high school years,” said Dieter Short, a Rigby High School senior and 100M, 200M and 400M sprinter.
Classes start next Monday, August 24th.
