Community celebrates Oconee Gym renovation

Mayor Joshua Kight promised a pretty quick Dublin City Council meeting so that the big crowd inside the Oconee High School Gymnasium could celebrate what was likely the real reason they attended the meeting – to mark the gym’s renovation.

The City Council, Laurens County Commission, Oconee High School alumni, businesses and organizations who worked on the renovation and many from the community attended Thursday’s celebration to get a first-hand look at the changes. The previous dark gym is well lit with windows above the stands on both sides allowing light to shine in.

“I like to think of this as the let your light shine project,” said Dublin Mayor Joshua Kight. “For those of you who saw this gymnasium before the renovation will know why I said that. This used to be a dark and dingy gym. All of these beautiful windows that you see here were boarded up. Think of how this gymnasium looked before versus the way it looks now, filled with light and filled with hope for this community.”

Self-guided tours of the gym, and its concessions area, were available after the ceremony. In March 2023, the city of Dublin submitted an application to the federal government requesting $2 million for the improvement of the Oconee Gym. 

“Here we are two and a half laters, and the project has expanded to $3.9 million. Was it worth it?” Kight asked, and was met with a loud “Yes!” from the crowd.

Kight said many people worked together to deliver the renovation. The mayor thanked Garbutt Construction, current and past city council members, Oconee High alumni members, the Dublin City Youth Council, as well as County Commissioner Chairwoman Brenda Chain and commissioners.

“(Chain) advocated for half a million dollars from the county’s budget for this project, and the commissioners agreed to that,” Kight said. “This renovation was done by all of us for all of us, and it’s going to be a big benefit for decades to come.” 

After Oconee High alumni sang their alma mater, Councilmen Chris Smith and Bennie Jones walked up to the podium for a special presentation for Curtis Smith. Smith had been told by his wife, Brenda ,that they needed to attend the meeting because she was going to give a special presentation.  It turned out the special presentation was for him. 

“He has made a lasting impression on the Southside Community and the Oconee Gym,” Chris said. 

Jones announced that the gym’s floor for now on will be known as the Curtis Smith Court, which was met with a big cheer from the crowd. 

“I hope everyone is able to enjoy it,” Smith said of the newly renovated gymnasium. “Just looking at it, they did a wonderful job. I wasn’t expecting (his name on the court). I’m very pleased.” 

Smith said it has been good to see his nephew, Chris Smith, as a leader on the city council.

“We try to explain all the time when it comes to recreation that everybody thinks it is about playing ball,” Curtis said. “Playing ball helped me, Chris, my son, Ben, and tons of kids in addition of developing yourself. It is good to see young people group up and thrive. They are our future leaders.” 

Ben Smith said he had a lot of emotion when it was announced.

“I know how much he appreciates it, and how much he deserves it,” Ben said. “I know how much of an impact he’s had over here with not just me but hundreds of kids. It’s fulfilling to see him get this well deserved honor. His name is on the court and not too many people in the world can say that.”

Jerry Davis, who gave the opening prayer for the meeting, joined many of his fellow classmates in the stands.

“I didn’t know that this could turn out as great as it has,” Davis said. “We’re thrilled as an alumni association. Being a student of Oconee High School, this warms our heart to see this gym revitalized so that the young people will be able to benefit from it the same as we did when we were growing up. This is a bright spark in our community and it can be a beacon of hope and light for our community that we need.” 

Davis was happy to see his former classmates.

“It is always like a reunion for an event like this,” he said. “Our alumni turns out when there is anything going on involving Oconee High School. The spirit is still very much alive and well.” 

Curtis Smith did not attend school at Oconee, but Davis said they adopted him as one of them.

“Curtis was at the gym every day with the recreation department,” Davis said. “His name on the court is very well and deserving for Curtis. We always thought Curtis should be recognized. It’s a honor for his name to be on the court. He earned that.”