Chiloquin celebrates grand opening of new gymnasium
Dec. 3, 2025 / Chiloquin students, staff, and community members circled the inside of the school’s new gymnasium, united by a 6-inch-wide blue ribbon, cheering as they counted down from five. Ten students around the circle, each with an oversized pair of golden scissors, then cut the ribbon, marking the grand opening of building.
The event Wednesday (Dec. 3) celebrated the completion of the new 11,580-square-foot gymnasium, hours before the first basketball games of the season tipped off. For more photos: CHILOQUIN GYM
The entire student body of Chiloquin elementary and junior-senior high schools held the blue ribbon while community members sat in bleachers for the event. The program began with the National Anthem, performed by Chiloquin Jr/Sr High students Keira Coleman and Isabella Wagoner.
Principal Ruben Paschal then welcomed the crowd and expressed gratitude to community and tribal partners, Klamath County School District board members, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak, district leaders, project crews, coaches, families, and student-athletes.
“Today, we open the doors to our new gym -- a space that represents pride, progress, and possibility for our students and the entire Chiloquin community,” Paschal said. “… This gym represents far more than walls and equipment. It stands as a testament to what we value: opportunity, growth, health, competition, and community unity.”
KCSD board member and former Chiloquin principal John Rademacher energized the students with a demonstration of game-day cheering, encouraging them to bring strong school spirit to upcoming basketball games. Additional speakers included Klamath Tribal Chairman William Ray and KCSD Superintendent Szymoniak.
In the days leading up to the opening, Garin Riddle, culture and heritage director for The Klamath Tribes, performed a traditional cleansing of the new space. The gym sits on a former village site inhabited by tribal ancestors for more than 14,000 years.
“When you disturb certain things, there needs to be a way to bring harmony back, so I was asked to come and smudge and cleanse this area,” Riddle told the crowd.
Riddle, joined by his son and Principal Paschal, smudged in all directions, sang a blessing song, and performed other traditional rituals to honor the ancestors. After describing the cleansing process, he led the crowd in the same song used during the ceremony.
Following the ribbon-cutting, pieces of the ribbon were shared with those who wanted to take home a small piece of history.
The new gymnasium, located adjacent to the high school, features a full-size court, a concession area, and seating for hundreds of fans. Construction began in August 2023. KCSD’s maintenance and project team partnered with Diversified Contractors and multiple subcontractors to complete the project, which was funded through federal relief dollars.
