‘Leaving a legacy’: Abandoned Gallatin gymnasium being restored for community use

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly 30 years since it was last open, one Gallatin gymnasium is being fully renovated for use by an area nonprofit.

The old high school gym on Small Street will be used by community service organization 'Shalom Zone' with the goal of creating a safe space for local kids.

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Over 50 volunteers were onsite Friday to help the renovation efforts. Left abandoned in the 1970s and last used in the 1990s, a Nashville construction group is restoring the gym for no real reason, other than goodwill.

"There's been no money expended at this point," Project Manager with DPR Construction, Mary Lou Kelly, said. "Everybody's donated all their time, effort, equipment, and it's just a humongous story for the community to get this back online."

The gym was originally part of Union High School, Sumner County's one and only all-black high school. It's more than just an old concrete building — it's a piece of local history.

"It went from a scary movie style gymnasium, to being bright. It already has good energy to it," DPR Construction superintendent, Rob Branch, said. "It's awesome. It's by far the most fun project I've worked on in years."

Kelly said that she's heard great stories about the gym's past, including a heartfelt one from an Uber driver.

"He went on to tell me how this place saved his life, brought him in from the streets," Kelly explained. "He said 'I cannot tell you how much sweat and hours I put in shooting hoops at that gym!' There's so many people that this facility affected then, and will affect now."

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"All of the services that we offer, not only can we extend those into this space, because we've grown out of space in our building, but we can create new programs, and sports, and children's theater and events space," said Bethany Sullivan, Executive Director of Gallatin's Shalom Zone. "They're leaving a legacy, all of these trade partners. [They're] creating something for the community that will last a long time."

The restored gymnasium, with its new floors, new basketball hoops, fresh paint, new lighting, and more will reopen its doors to the community this November.