Kelly: Gym Restrooms In Need of Upgrades

Jeff Kelly of the La Grange Optimist Club addressed the La Grange I.S.D. Board of Trustees at their meeting last Monday about the poor condition of the restrooms in the old Hermes Elementary school gym.

The La Grange Optimist Club uses the old gym for its Little Dribblers basketball league. Kelly said the restrooms in the gym are not suitable for members of the public who attend the games.

“Those bathrooms are terrible,” Kelly said. “In the women’s bathroom, water is running on the floor. The toilet is slipping and sliding. The doors hit them in the knees when the ladies sit down. At least the ladies have two stalls. The men’s (restroom) does not have anything. No protection, wide open … You better not have to sit down. We have no privacy.

“We need some help,” Kelly added. “The sign says ‘handicap’ but there is nothing for handicapped (people) in there.”

Kelly said the Optimist Club is willing to assist the school in improving the restrooms.

“Come and sit down with us,” Kelly said. “Let’s come together and see what we can do.”

Kelly asked the board members to visit the gym and see the condition of the restrooms for themselves.

“Please come by and take a visit,” Kelly said. “You don’t have to take my word for it.”

Kelly spoke during the public comment period of the meeting last Monday. The topic was not on the official meeting agenda, so the board accepted his remarks but did not comment or take any action. La Grange Superintendent Andy McHazlett told the Record this week that the school will address the restrooms at the Hermes Gym.

“We’re looking into it, and we’re trying to get some quotes to refurbish those and get them into compliance.”

McHazlett said rules regarding disabled access have changed since the restrooms were built.

“It’s the oldest gym in the district,” McHazlett said. “The whole restroom itself is not large enough. Were going to have to figure out where to take space from somewhere else to make them bigger.”

He said there was a water leak in the restroom, but the leak is now fixed.

“As far as the privacy issue, the restrooms are just so small,” McHazlett said. “Sometimes those doors get propped open. We’re going to have to train people to not prop those doors open. But long term, we’re getting some quotes to see what it would take to get them into compliance.”

McHazlett said he appreciates the Optimist Club’s offer to assist the district.

“We’re going to be reaching out to them,” McHazlett said. “Those conversations will take place.”