Mesa Verde Gymnasium Fire Displaces Classes

Posted Date: 06/02/2020

August 11, 2014 – Students at Mesa Verde Elementary will be displaced the first few months of this school year due to a fire which damaged the gymnasium facility earlier this summer. Dependent upon further building assessment, the gymnasium will hopefully be ready for use again by the end of the fall semester.

According to Les Hoyt, Chief Financial Officer for Amarillo ISD, most of the fire damage occurred in the storage, office and restroom areas. The remainder of the building sustained extensive smoke and water damage however.

The school district is working alongside insurance adjusters to investigate total damages to the facility and equipment within. “At this time, the damage is estimated at approximately $400,000,” Hoyt said.

Mesa Verde faculty and students can expect changes to their physical education class routine. Students will continue participating in these classes, but the location will be determined on a daily basis factoring in weather and space availability.

“We’re going to do as much outside with our students as we can,” Mesa Verde Principal Shelley Baloglou said. “It’s important our students are safe from the sun and weather though, so we’re working to free up a classroom where they can partake in physical education classes.”