South Tahoe High plans to add Strength and Conditioning Center

South Tahoe High may soon have a new Strength and Condition Center, and the public can make donations to have their name put on the project.

The Sports Medicine program at the school was developed to help train students to assist injured students, and the new plan at the school is being designed to prevent injuries to the student athlete.

At the next meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, February 9, South Tahoe High leaders will propose a Strength and Conditioning Center be created in the school's former cafeteria and adjacent hallway, one that will be led by a CTE certified strength and conditioning instructor.

63 percent of the student body at STHS participates in sports so South Tahoe High School wants to create a robust program for those athletes that will provide a balance between injury prevention, improving athletic performance, and educating the athlete.

National statistics show that 12 percent of student athletes sustain injuries. Those same figures show strength training in high school can reduce injuries by 33 percent, and reduce overuse injuries by 50 percent.

The proposed conditioning center, if approved, will need $60,000 for the first phase to be completed, and $20,000 for phase two. The school would like to start the campaign to develop the Strengthening and Conditioning Center immediately so it is available for student use this summer.

LTUSD has been successful in working with the community to receive financial support for kids in the community, and STHS believes that will be the case for the new center.

The District is committed to provide $30,000 for equipment, $10,000 for painting, spray-on ceiling insulation, sealing, and heating of the facility, and approximately $50,000 from the new $300,000 CTE Incentive Grant for the instructor's salary.

At the present time the District is seeking community sponsorship donations as follows:

$15,000 - Hall of Fame (Naming Rights to Phase I)
$10,000 - All-American (Naming Rights to Phase II)
$5,000 - All-State (Name Recognized on Pillars of the Room)
$1,000 - All-League (Name on Plaque with Year Donated)

The Phase I cost is approximately $60,000 which includes a specific type of flooring to support six half-racks with chin-up bars and weight storage; five 90 lb. dumb bells and storage; and 8 adjustable benches. This would accommodate 64 athletes to work out productively at the same time.

Phase II is estimated to cost $20,000 and will include the purchase of four additional half racks; additional dumb bell sets; Plyometric equipment; software to track performance; and stereo equipment.

The total cost for Phase I and Phase II is $80,000, plus the $10,000 for paint, insulation, sealing, heating, and $50,000 for staffing.

At the present time the District has a commitment from a community member for $15,000, so it is already $45,000 toward their $80,000 goal. The STHS leadership team anticipates this will be strongly supported by the community and hopes to begin the purchase process on March 1, 2016 in order to have it ready for summer conditioning.

The School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the District Offices at 1021 Al Tahoe Blvd.