Langston Chapel Middle School recently held a grand opening of its new Athletic Complex on Wednesday, September 28.
This complex was part of the Board of Education's recent $5.25 million improvement to middle school athletic facilities. Like William James Middle School, Langston's complex includes six-court tennis courts, combined football-soccer fields, softball fields, baseball fields, concessions, restrooms, and new parking lots.
Hussey Gay Bell Architecture designed the new facilities for both William James and Langston Chapel (as well as Portal Middle High School previously) and intends to complete the last of the middle schools, Southeast Bulloch Middle School, after a newly proposed relocation plan finalizes. Dabbs Williams Contractors of Statesboro was responsible for the build-outs.
Dedication to former leader
What set The Langston Chapel Athletic Complex opening apart from its sibling complexes, William James and Portal Middle High, is that it was dedicated to one of its former principals, Johnny Tremble.
Tremble was the dynamic and inspiring principal of Langston Chapel Middle School from 1998-2005. He fostered a vibrant educational atmosphere at the middle school, so much so that his lasting impact remained years after his departure from his position.
Tremble was given the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to the new football field, along with an honorary commemorative plaque, as a conclusive act to the complex’s grand opening ceremony. Tremble’s friends and family stood alongside him to bear witness to and show admiration for his remarkable career.
In catching up with Mr. Tremble after the conclusion of the pre-game ceremony, he said, “I’d like to thank the Langston Chapel faculty and staff for this dedication, as it was their idea at my point of retirement. They approached the Board of Education and got approval for the dedication of a series of fields. Also, I retired 17 years ago. So, for them to keep me in their mind and for the Board of Education to support the proposition was a grand honor.”
E-SPLOST continues to support public school students in Bulloch
Like William James Middle School, Langston Chapel had been relying on various offsite areas and practice fields to be used for team practices and games during all previous years. But by having an athletic complex now attached to their middle school, the convenience and updated improvements to the athletic capital are sure to contribute greatly to the overall success of its athletic department.
Furthermore, the locally voted on and approved E-SPLOST IV tax (Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) made these various athletic complexes plans possible. Registered voters in Bulloch County approved on Nov. 7, 2017, a fourth one-cent sales-and-use tax for educational purposes for five years (Jan. 1, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2023). The improvements oftentimes come in the form of new school buildings, renovations, and current school building updates. E-SPLOST IV will continue to raise approximately $51 million for capital improvement projects like these for each of the district’s 15 public schools and alternative learning centers.
