The Riverdale High School wrestling program broke ground in October 2011 on a 5,700-square foot wrestling building that would serve as its new home.
Nearly two years later the shell of that building still stands, incomplete.
Rumors surfaced this month that the Lee County School District would destroy the project if it were not completed by June 1.
Riverdale assistant principal Ed Mathews put those rumors to rest, but he did indicate that the program does need to raise the rest of the $63,000 by June 1.
Riverdale coach Kris Heyward guided the Raiders to Class A state championships in 2008 and 2009. He spearheaded the project from its inception.
“People get excited,” Mathews said of the rumors. “Right now, we’re seeing outstanding momentum. We want to see our dream of coach Heyward fulfilled. It’s been a process. We were in no-man’s land for a stretch. Now we’re starting to come out of it. We have a lot of momentum. We have our foundation. We’re working on getting the roof completed.”
Mathews said the school district has been helpful and understanding with the process.
Heyward said community and business donations have helped get the project started.
“We’re getting some donations here and there,” Heyward said. “We’re getting close. We need to step up and get it done, but we need a little bit of help. We need a big chunk of change.”
Riverdale set up a non-profit organization through its booster club to finish raising the funds. People can donate through paypal at Riverdalewrestling.com.