The renovation of the Old Gym in Williams won’t be completely finished by Pioneer Day, but city officials said they are making good use of Proposition 68 funds and in-house labor.
The city received the $177,000 per capita allocation from the Parks, Environment, and Water Bond Act, which voters approved in 2018 for the creation or rehabilitation of recreational facilities.
“So far we have spent $74,000,” said Colusa Public Works Director Colt Esenwein.
The Old Gym, located behind the Sacramento Valley Museum, served Williams High School students through the Class of 1956. The city has maintained the property for public use since the early 1960s, including hosting the Williams Antique Show (now Antique Bottle Show) for more than 40 years as a fundraiser for the museum.
The City Council in 2021 awarded their Proposition 68 grant allocation to the project, although Public Works is doing most of the general labor, including repairing damage caused by a 2021 fire in the kitchen area.
Esenwein said if the city hired a contractor it would be a $500,000 job instead of $200,000. “Public works is doing an incredible job.”
Work completed includes new air conditioning, ADA restroom, and new electrical.
“We keep finding things and they’re (staff) answering the call,” Esenwein said. “They are rising to the occasion and getting things done.”
The project also calls for the replacement of the gym floor ($40,000), which is currently out for bid, ADA entrance ($20,000-$30,000), and new door ($27,000).
Esenwein said all the work, except perhaps the new floor, should be completed this spring. ■