by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Wrestling Club Inc. attended the Nov. 3 Board of Education meeting to advocate for the Gouverneur Wildcat modified, JV and varsity wrestlers’ use of the new facility at 269 Rock Island Street, Gouverneur.

Jim Minckler of Gouverneur said the following: “I am a Gouverneur alum, a former Gouverneur wrestler, a parent of two Gouverneur wrestlers, and I am one of the Board members of the Gouverneur Wrestling Club. We are here tonight requesting your consideration that our school-based wrestling programs be able to utilize our newly constructed facility that is on the verge of completion for their practices.

“Over the last 25 years, our wrestling program’s practice facility has been shifted around. They started at the high school, moved to the elementary school, and then back to high school above the pool. For the past few years, they have been sharing the auxiliary gym and are now moving back to the elementary school for the upcoming season. Despite the movement, our wrestling program continues to excel. The vision to build this facility was a way to honor our wrestlers of the past, present and future. It’s a place where the entire program can call home and showcase the rich traditions and history of one of the best programs in the State.

“We believe that we have an alternative solution for practices that could benefit both the District and the wrestling program. There are currently 27 wrestlers signed up at Boys JV and Varsity levels. There are 8 for the Girls. By using the news space’s facility, coaches could house multiple teams during one practice time. The space at the elementary school is small for 27 wrestlers, and they won’t be able to start practice until after 4 p.m. when the elementary students are released and parking clears out. This also means the second team coming in for practice wouldn’t begin until after 6 p.m.

“Our school district currently utilizes other facility in the community for different athletic programs. And we are hoping to do the same. Our community has been extremely generous in donating money, resources, time and labor to construct the building.

“We appreciate and look forward to dedicated wrestling space that is part of the plans in the capital project, but until that space is completed, we are requesting our wrestling program be able to practice at the new building. The wrestlers themselves have helped with different projects at the facility, and would be very excited to have a chance to practice there.

“We are hopeful that we can work together to provide the best opportunities for our athletes at Gouverneur – opportunities that will allow help us train our current and future athletes, and more importantly help them become great young adults. This would also open time and space at the elementary school for other programs and could possibly be an added benefit to the district and community. Thank you for your time and consideration of our request. We think this is a viable option for both the school district and the wrestling program. We would love to invite all of you to come over and tour the new facility. We look forward to working with the school to hopefully make this happen. Thank you!”

Gouverneur CSD Board of Education President David Fenlong expressed appreciation for the public comment. “We look forward to working with you as well,” he said. There was no other discussion on the topic at the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education meeting last Monday at the Gouverneur Middle School.

The next regular meeting of the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education will be held on Monday, December 8, 5:30 p.m., at the Gouverneur Elementary School cafeteria. For more information, visit www.gcsk12.org.