Bethany Public Schools Picking Up The Pieces Following Extensive Damage To Gym

Bethany High School is making repairs to their gym floor following a break-in on New Year's Day.

“We had five individuals break into the school and came down to the gym, started playing with a ball, started kicking it. And. one of the times they kicked it, it went to the ceiling and broke one of the sprinkler heads,” Bethany High School girls basketball coach Eric Sailer said. 

Security cameras captured the break-in. The juveniles from several school districts were seen running out as water started to cover the gym floor. Most of the floor was soaked causing the wood floor to warp in about 45 minutes time.

The gym’s repairs will cost more than $100,000.

“Unfortunately, when that water gets on the hardwood, it gets underneath the wood, and that's where the damage really happens is that water just sitting underneath the wood,” Sailer said.

Bethany High School is in the middle of their girls and boys basketball seasons. Sailor said the toughest part was telling his team.

“They were disappointed,” Sailer said. “All of our home games are having to be moved to a different venue and, of course, there's not just one venue that we can play all of our home games, so we're having to kind of flip flop.”

The basketball teams will play their home games at South Nazarene University and on the Putnam City North High School campuses. Repairs are expected to take months to complete.

Bethany superintendent Drew Eichelberger said he doesn't see this stopping the teams from finishing their seasons strong.

“These are the same kids that have gone through 18 months of COVID and they're resilient,” Eichelberger said. “It doesn't make it hurt any less, but they are great kids and they'll make it.”

Bethany police is investigating this incident. They said the five individuals involved will be facing charges.