East Central Community College’s efforts to renovate Founders’ Gym received a financial boost thanks to an $80,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

     The ECCC award is included among 19 projects totaling $2 million in preservation grants provided across the state through the Community Heritage Grant Program, authorized by and funded by the Mississippi Legislature.

     The $80,000 amount, combined with a local match of $20,000, will create a total project budget of $100,000 and provides the necessary funding to complete the first phase of the much-anticipated project, said ECCC President Dr. Phil A. Sutphin.

     “We plan to use the funds to restore the south arcade,” said Dr. Phil A. Sutphin. “It is our intent to bring Founders’ Gym to its original look while also modernizing the historic structure. We continue to seek private funds which will be needed to complete the project.”

     Founders’ Gym is recognized as one of the oldest buildings on campus and the oldest standing brick gymnasium in east Mississippi. The structure was recently declared a Mississippi historic landmark.

     Fundraising efforts were initiated in 2008 to renovate the gym, which played host to hundreds of basketball games from 1930 to 1970, including local, state and regional championships for both high school and college level teams. The gym was also used for May Day programs, proms, dances, plays, musicals, graduations and many community events.

     Founders’ Gym is named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Hunter, James “Jim” McDonald Thames and others instrumental in establishing the College in 1928.

     Dr. Sutphin said the renovation project includes four stages at an estimated cost of $8 million. Approximately $6,000 has been raised as of Dec. 31, 2011.

     Contributions may be made to the ECCC Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327.

     For more information, contact Dr. Stacey Hollingsworth, executive director, Foundation and Alumni Relations, (601) 635-6327 or call toll free, (877) 462-3222, ext. 327. The e-mail address is sholling@eccc.edu.