New gyms coming to Dougherty, Westover in multi-million dollar projects

ALBANY – The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Dougherty County Board of Education approved a bid Tuesday morning for the construction of a new gymnasium at Dougherty High School and advanced a similar project for Westover High School into the bidding phase. The full board will consider the Dougherty High School gym bid during its February 10 meeting.

“The construction of new Health, Physical Education (HPE) Complexes and Gymnasiums at Dougherty and Westover High Schools represent a significant investment in our students, our schools, and our broader community,” said Dougherty School Superintendent Kenneth Dyer. “Valuable input was received from the administration, athletics staff, and other stakeholders at both schools during the design process to ensure these facilities will not only enhance our athletic and physical education programs but also provide a modern space for school and community events.”

The approved bid awards the Dougherty High School gymnasium project to CGM Construction Group of Colquitt, Georgia, for over $16.5 million. The contract allows for 430 days of construction, aiming for completion in May 2026. Funding for the project comes from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and Capital Outlay Funds from the Georgia Department of Education.

The planned two-story gymnasium and physical education complex will feature a first floor with a weight room, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, restrooms, a laundry room, and a concession stand. The second floor will provide access to higher-level seating, a multi-purpose room, and additional restrooms. The facility is designed to seat approximately 1,580 fans.

“It’s been a long time coming for Dougherty High School, local partnerships, and the Eastside community,” said Dougherty head basketball coach Bakari Bryant. “When I first got the job, one of my main goals was to bring change to the mindset and culture while bringing that old-school Albany basketball back to this area. This used to be the place you had to come through if you wanted to be a state champion in Georgia. With the young talent we have coming up and events like this, it’s just the beginning. I’m excited for the alumni, current students, and future students to experience what’s to come. Plus, knowing you have a part in designing the layout makes it even better.”

While the committee advanced the Westover gymnasium project to the bidding phase, it also approved a bid for extensive renovations at Westover High School. The current gym will undergo renovations, and the school will receive upgrades to the auditorium, a new office addition, a new music addition, and repaving of the parking lot.

If approved on February 10, the Westover High School gym project will move forward with bids expected to be collected in April. The contract would be awarded in May, with construction beginning in June on the site of the current baseball field. The new gym is scheduled to be ready for classes at the start of the 2027 school year and fully completed before the 2027 basketball season begins.

Westover principal William Chunn and his staff are thrilled about the project.

“We are very excited about the overall renovation project for Westover, including our new gymnasium,” said Chunn. “This school was built in 1968, and as you can imagine, we are in desperate need of some major renovations. In the first communication about new gyms in the DCSS, the talk was to build Monroe and Dougherty’s new gyms but to renovate Westover’s gym. Not satisfied with this, I pressed very hard to get Westover a new gym also. I thank Mr. Dyer and the project committee for listening.”

Chunn emphasized the need for an upgraded facility, noting that Westover’s current gym still has wooden backboards.

“I’ve traveled to gyms statewide and never see a high school gym still with wooden backboards,” he said. “Actually, we thought we should have been given the first new gym in the DCSS, due to the fact that we have played for 10 State Championships, winning six in years past. We thought we earned it.”

The significance of the project extends beyond just athletics, Chunn said.

“I am so proud for our students (current and past), faculty and staff (current and past), and the entire Patriot Nation on receiving this new gym and all the overdue renovations that Westover deserves,” he added. “I am extremely proud that our gym will be on Westover Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in all of Dougherty County. This new gym and the Westover renovations will be my retirement gift.”

Dyer echoed the impact these new facilities will have on both schools.

“For years, our students and student-athletes have persevered with aging infrastructure, and these projects ensure they will have access to first-class facilities, with leading-edge technology, that support their development—both academically and athletically,” Dyer said. “These complexes will serve as more than just gymnasiums; they will be hubs for student engagement, school spirit, and community pride. We look forward to seeing their impact on generations of students to come.”