Rebuilding a School Community Hub in Nogales

When the gymnasium at Nogales' Pierson High School was damaged by rain nearly a decade ago, the school community didn't just lose a building. It lost a critical piece of community history, a place where not only graduations and competitions were held for the school but also a site for town events since it was built in 1920.

The School Facilities Division of the Arizona Department of Administration is finishing a $3.7 million Building Renewal Grant project that has brought the gymnasium back into good condition after it's been out of use for years: replacing a leaky roof, a bubbled-up floor, plumbing, electrical systems and an HVAC system.

The approximately 113 students at Pierson are happy to have a functioning gymnasium and cafeteria again.

Senior Xavier Enriquez, 17, said he is excited to play basketball during his lunch break and enjoy extracurriculars that can now have a comeback.

"The things that I'm looking forward to once the gym is opened is for the school to finally start doing activities there as well as letting us play in the mornings and lunch hours. I also hope to see a school basketball team again. Having school activities that we used to have before would be great!" he said. "Just as I look forward to the gym, many other students wait to be able to play a little and have fun. This, too, I know will make many people happy and improve our spirits during school hours."

Oscar Islas Jr., Nogales Unified School District's director of support services, describes the building as one that is important to the community's history and its future. He said the project made significant progress when the School Facilities Division became involved, after facing pandemic-related delays and due to the complexities of renovating historic buildings.

"This campus hosts several Joint Technical Education District programs and extracurricular activities. This campus continues to grow, and with the assistance of the state, the district can continue to provide a safe environment," he said.