When the Barton Community College Cougars play their first game of 2013, it could be on a new gym floor: The L.T. and Sheila Fleske Court.
The BCC Board of Trustees on Thursday approved granting naming rights to Barton boosters Dr. Leonard T. and Sheila Fleske, for 15 years. Darnell Holopirek, the college’s executive director of institutional advancement, said the Fleskes will provide the funds for a new floor with a gift to the College Foundation.
Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said three bids have been received and are being reviewed. The gift will cover expenses up to $75,000; the floor will cost less than that, although there may be related expenses, such as moving some seats. The gym floor was installed when the Physical Education Building was built in 1971. “It wasn’t a very good surface to start with,” he said, adding the new floor “will be more conducive to today’s standards.”
At least two of the bidders have indicated they could start the project after Thanksgiving and have the floor ready for the first home game after the winter break, on Jan. 7, 2013.
Board Chairman Mike Johnson praised the Fleskes for their years of support to both athletic and academic programs at Barton.
Holopirek said the board policy and procedures for naming opportunities was followed. “We’re really, really excited about this,” she said.
In other business, the trustees approved hiring three employees to fill vacant positions. Brian Yager was hired as a general facility management worker and Mary Foley was named executive director of Workforce Training & Economic Development, both on the Barton County campus. Kali Duvall was hired as an academic advisor for the Fort Riley area.