Any student at Anderson has seen, and especially heard, the ongoing construction in and around our school. Whether it’s the exits leading straight to the parking lot or the constant thumping of the jackhammer during class, every student has felt the effects of Austin ISD’s massive renovation project, in which a new front office and state of the art gym will be constructed.  But, why are we building, what exactly is being built, and when will the construction end?

Why are we building?

Anderson High School has used the same gym for over half a century, holding memorable events, games, and tournaments– not just for the Trojan athletes, but for our entire community. This has certainly put wear and tear on both the court and facilities, making a gym that once felt new, now feel ancient. Freshman basketball player Ben Lopez describes the court as “slippery” which makes it difficult to get traction. This can cause a higher injury rate among players when making quick movements during practices and games. 

Many other facilities at Anderson are in dire need for a remodel, including the turf football field and track, the outside restrooms and concession stands, the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, and the front office. Whether it is to improve efficiency or to better Anderson’s competitive nature, much of the campus needs some fine tuning. 

With issues surrounding safety as well as many sports now competing on higher levels – our football team that recently made it to state and the Anderson Swim and Dive team that has been a recurring qualifier for state – this change is long overdue. While not all athletes compete on a court, almost all have taken a trip to our trainers’ room and utilized our locker rooms in some fashion, demonstrating the need for brand new athletic facilities.

What is being built?

While the focus of the massive project has been on Anderson’s new competition gymnasium, there are many other renovations and additions coming to the school. This includes a renovated front office, a brand new athletic field, a new training room, and an all new boy’s and girl’s locker room.

The modernized front office includes not just a complete remodel, but a state of the art secure vestibule. This is a separate lobby that controls who enters and who exits the school. While this addition makes for a safer environment, Anderson students and staff are not completely accustomed to the new layout and features. McBride, Anderson’s Assistant Management Principal, describes the new office as “great, but an adjustment” due to the fact that its new and improved features will take some time getting used to.

While these new safety additions are vital, our field is in its last life due to its constant use over the past decade. Calhoun has hosted countless games where the Trojans have faced many challenges and have prevailed with strong victories to remember forever. Whether you represent Anderson as an athlete or in the stands, almost every student has been a part of Calhoun’s legacy. After many years of putting the outdoor facilities to good use, Anderson will receive brand new turf and a re-surfaced track, as well as new concessions, seating, and lights. 

And if all of these additions already seem overwhelming, there is still more to come. Brand new locker rooms are coming our way with both the boys and the girls getting new facilities. This includes not just new lockers and showers, but also an upgraded training room that can be of use to all athletes.

When will it be done?

The estimated completion date for Anderson’s new competition gym, according to Austin Independent School District’s Director of Construction Management, Ryan Marcum, is December 2026, meaning that the construction will unfortunately last through the rest of next year. On the bright side, the brand new front office is already complete. By this time next year, all of the current renovations and additions at Anderson should be completed in their entirety.

These new additions bring excitement to the Anderson community. While many memories have been made in Anderson’s old facilities, the anticipation of all new athletic provisions is exciting to any Anderson Trojan, no matter if you are an athlete or supporter.