Atari, Rubik’s Cubes, shag rugs, Pop Rocks, and South High locker rooms. 

What do these five things have in common? They were all created in the 1970s. Yes, you’re reading this right, that means South’s locker rooms haven’t been renovated since the school was opened in 1976. This is changing during 2026 as multiple renovations to the area are scheduled to begin.

Renovations are expected to begin in February and be completed by January 2027. The locker rooms are not the only space getting updated and fixed during 2026. South will also be getting a new technology closet that will improve wifi and tech infrastructure, the pool is getting a cosmetic makeover, a new room is being added for the athletic trainer, a hallway that will connect both sides that have locker rooms is being put in, and an elevator will be added that will make the PE wing ADA accessible. Sprinklers will also be installed across the entire school over the next 3 summers.

Assistant Principal Eric Wilhelm, who is overseeing the renovations, believes there are multiple opportunities for improvement considering the space has never been renovated.

“The area has been painted, but there have been no major changes to the space,” Wilhelm said. “There is no air conditioning in the locker rooms currently, and there is no way for students with any special needs to access the space because that was not a part of the law in 1976.”

Junior Elijah Kinder, who is taking Competitive Sport and Games this semester, said he is glad these renovations are happening, but also believes they’re very overdue.

“I couldn’t even guess when the last time was that they were renovated, I just know they’re really old,” Kinder said. “I think a lot of students would agree with me that they should’ve fixed them sooner.”

The money for this project is coming from a bond issue that was passed about 5 years ago, and now it’s finally South’s turn to get a makeover, according to Wilhelm.

“Work at North and Central has been completed in the first four years, and we are next on the schedule,” Wilhelm said.

With so many changes coming up, both students and staff are looking forward to seeing the potential of this remodeled space, according to PE teacher Michelle Dempsey, who is also South’s JV girls basketball coach. 

“I am in locker rooms in many different schools during away basketball games, and I’ve noticed ours is pretty out of date,” Dempsey said. “The construction may present some challenges, but I cannot wait to see the finished product and have a locker room we can all be proud of.”

While new spaces and appliances are nice, sophomore Grace Amad, who is taking Strength and Conditioning this semester, also thinks upkeep of this new space is almost as important as the renovations themselves.

“I think the space needs to be cleaner overall. Right now the bathrooms and showers are always disgusting and that needs to be changed,” Amad said.

Kinder agrees that cleanliness has been an issue with the locker rooms in the past

“It always smells really bad in the locker rooms, so I’m hoping they can do something about that,” Kinder said. 

Construction starting during the school year means alternate plans have to be made for students who have relied on the locker room in the past, according to Dempsey.

“A locker room is being created in a classroom downstairs. All the windows will be covered for privacy, and it will be secured,” Dempsey said.

Despite the excitement surrounding the new locker rooms, some students are annoyed by the inconveniences that these renovations will cause, according to senior Evie Raymond. Raymond is on the swim team and has been inconvenienced by the changes.

“Starting in February, we’ll have to walk out of the pool to the PE lobby bathrooms instead of just going in the locker rooms when we need to use the bathroom,” Raymond said. “It’s just gonna be annoying cause we’ll have to walk through the school in our wet swimsuits.”

The renovations to the locker rooms and pool will also be impacting any PE classes that involve pool time, including the freshman PE classes Fitness Concepts and Adventure Pursuits, but according to PE teacher Mickey Wendling, arrangements have been made to help classes get at least a little pool time this semester.

“The swimming and kayak units are taking the biggest hits, so I have all of my classes getting in the pool the second week of the semester,” Wendling said. “While this may not be ideal, we are finding ways to navigate the situation.”

The renovations will also be switching the girls and boys sides of the locker rooms. This means the boys locker room will be moved near Gym A, and the girls will be moved down by the weightroom and Gym C. Because renovations will be done on the current girls side first, this means that when the current girls side is finished, the boys will get to move in and the girls will have to wait for the other side to be completed. This was agreed on by coaches, but Amad believes some girls are annoyed by this.

“I think it’s really unfair because when our locker room is finally done, the boys will get to use it and we’ll have to wait longer,” Amad said.”It’s called the girls locker room for a reason.”

Although there will be some annoyances caused by these renovations, Raymond believes in the end, these renovations will be good for South and its students.

“Yes, myself and my team are kind of mad and annoyed that locker rooms are getting moved around and closed, but I think they’re gonna be really nice in the end, so it’ll be all worth it,” Raymond said.