2025 article
By Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974
In 1910, the new Porterfield Gymnasium opened, featuring modern amenities on two levels. The lower level housed a swimming pool, shower baths, dressing rooms, and bowling alleys. The upper level boasted a basketball court with an inclined running track elevated 10 feet above it.
During the summer of 1948, the gymnasium’s swimming pool was drained and permanently covered with concrete due to costly repairs.
In 1949, the Alumni Association proudly donated an electric scoreboard to enhance basketball game scoring.
The inclined running track was removed between the 1950s and 1960s.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony for a new gymnasium took place on May 7, 1963. It was completed in the fall of 1964 and designated for the boys’ physical education program, while the original gymnasium continued to serve the girls.
In 1971, the Parents’ Association donated a scoreboard for the athletic field, which was mounted on the side of the Porterfield Gymnasium. Around the same time, a new storage area was added near Teegarden Field to house track equipment.
In 1976, the two bowling lanes in the Girls’ Gymnasium were resurfaced and refinished. Wissman’s Bowling Supplies generously donated all labor and materials, including new bowling balls and pins.
Following the demolition of the Boys’ Vocational Building in 1993 due to failing inspection, the woodshop class was relocated to the gym’s basement.
In 1996, Porterfield Gymnasium underwent thorough cleaning to restore its appearance. The two bowling lanes were resurfaced and refinished again.
The gymnasium was renamed to its original name, “Porterfield” Gymnasium, in recognition of its historical significance. In 2004, the sign consists of the letter “P” tapped on the shoulder a few times. Return to the original name reinforces the respect for history and tradition while maintaining inclusivity through ASL recognition. In January 2025, Porterfield Gymnasium was officially closed after an inspection deemed the building unsafe for use.