The discovery of nonfriable asbestos in a building that needed to be demolished as part of the BHS South of Bancroft Project has delayed the process by seven weeks. Photo: Camille Baptista By Camille Baptista Despite delays at the beginning of the school year caused by the discovery of an unexpected type of asbestos, the Berkeley […]
BHS Old Gym
Posted inSchools
Historic Berkeley High Old Gym makes way for the new
Old Gymnasium’s Woman’s Pool (1929 addition) after seismic upgrade c.1937. Photo: courtesy BUSD Old Gymnasium’s Woman’s Pool (1929 addition) after seismic upgrade c.1937. Photo: courtesy BUSD Demolition work began this week on Berkeley High’s Old Gym on Milvia Street. The building has not been in use by students since October 2011 when it was abruptly […]
Posted inCity, Schools
City Council approves pools measure, debates streets
Council voted to put a pools measure on the ballot. Willard Pool, which was filled with dirt in 2011, is top of mind. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel Council voted to put a pools measure on the ballot. Willard Pool, which was filled with dirt in 2011, is top of mind. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel A comparatively quiet City Council meeting sprang into life […]
Posted inSchools, Video
A ‘funeral’ for a much-loved Berkeley swimming pool
Berkeley’s Warm Pool at the Old Gym on the Berkeley High campus filled with swimmers Wednesday night for probably the last time ever, as scores of pool loyalists gathered for a mock funeral. The Old Gym is being shuttered and is slated to be demolished in 2012. Above is a video shot last night, which […]
Posted inSchools
Closure of BHS gym rattles athletes, angers parents
The Old Gym at Berkeley High School was abruptly shut this week because of seismic safety concerns. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The unexpected and abrupt closure of Berkeley High School’s Old Gym this week has thrown some of the school’s athletic programs into turmoil. On Monday, members of the football team were told they could not […]
Posted inCommunity
Comment: Richmond Plunge holds lessons for Berkeley
The newly re-opened pool at the Richmond Plunge in Point Richmond. Photo: Henrik Bull. Berkeley resident Henrik Bull believes Berkeley could learn a lot from the process which led to the renovation and recent reopening of the Richmond Plunge in Point Richmond — in particular with regard to the plans for the Warm Pool at […]
Posted inSchools
Saving Berkeley High’s Old Gymnasium: A proposal
Berkeleyside exclusive: The Old Gymnasium on the Berkeley High School campus, a landmarked building originally designed by William Hays, has fallen into disrepair — see slideshow above — and the School District is suggesting it be demolished. Noted Berkeley architect Henrik Bull has a different suggestion: It is easy to understand why the School Board […]