Spirit and music filled the inside of the Hoskins Gymnasium at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School on Tuesday afternoon. 

As spectators filed into the gym to find their seats, they were greeted with performances by the P.K. Yonge Blue Wave Band and Guard, as well as Blue Wave cheerleaders. 

But those who had gathered in the gym weren’t there to watch an athletic event. Rather, they were there to celebrate something that is expected to shape the school’s future for years to come. 

P.K. Yonge students, parents, alumni and administrators gathered Tuesday alongside University of Florida officials and other supporters to celebrate the groundbreaking of the school’s new gymnasium. 

“This facility is not simply about athletics; it’s about the whole child,” Dr. Carrie Geiger, director of P.K. Yonge, said while giving remarks. “It’s about health, well-being, teamwork, perseverance and belonging. It directly supports our live healthy initiative, which recognizes that learning does not happen in isolation from physical health, mental wellness or social connection.” 

The new gym, which will be built in the southwest corner of the P.K. Yonge campus, is part of the school’s campus revitalization project.  

According to P.K. Yonge’s website, the project kicked off “with a Florida Department of Education survey in 2007.” So far, two phases of the project have been completed – an elementary building in 2012 and a secondary building in 2021. 

In 2023, P.K. Yonge received legislative funding to build the next phase of its revitalization project – phase three – which is the gym, according to its website. 

In addition to Geiger, several other speakers gave remarks during the ceremony, including UF alumnus and UF Board of Trustees Vice Chair Rahul Patel.  

According to its website, “P.K. Yonge is the public, developmental research school of the University of Florida.” 

While speaking, Patel touched on the history of P.K. Yonge and UF. He also shared some historical facts about P.K. Yonge. 

Patel said P.K. Yonge was established in 1934 and moved to its current location in 1958. He noted that “only two of the original buildings still stand today” – the cafeteria and gymnasium. 

“That’s because an effort began more than 15 years ago to slowly but surely rebuild the original structures with more efficient and safer learning spaces,” Patel said. “Clearly, students’ needs have changed dramatically during the past 68 years, and P.K. Yonge’s buildings are changing with them.” 

The gym is now among those buildings getting rebuilt to better serve students.  

Patel said the new gym will have over 30,000 square feet of space, featuring “a large welcoming lobby with concession services, AV panels throughout the building for display of school content and athletic schedules,” and over “4,200 square feet of court with bleachers that can seat more than 1,000 people.” 

Patel said the new gym will also include a boys and girls locker room, referee, weight, first aid, teacher/planning rooms, staff offices, a laundry room, etc.  

“And yes, it will also include air conditioning,” he added, which drew a loud round of applause from the audience.  

Patel said the current gym – built in 1957 – has no A/C. 

While giving remarks, Geiger reflected on the historical significance of the current gym. 

“This original gem…holds decades of memory,” she said. “Three championships celebrated, lessons learned, friendships formed and generations of students discovering confidence and courage on this very floor. It has served the school well, and it deserves our gratitude.” 

Several alumni were present at the ceremony, including Rick Smith and Allen Lastinger. Both men were part of the first P.K. Yonge basketball team that played in the existing gym in 1958. 

During the ceremony, Smith and Lastinger were presented with new P.K. Yonge team jerseys. 

“We want to acknowledge that when our teams take the court, they do so grounded in the legacy that you all began in 1958,” Geiger said. 

In an interview with Mainstreet, Lastinger admitted that it was sad to see the building he played in get retired, but that it’s time for new beginnings. 

“[It’s] sad in a way and happy in a way,” he said. 

Geiger said the new gym, which will cost $18 million total to complete, is expected to be finished in February 2027. 

“We hope to have our certificate of occupancy in early March 2027,” she added. 

Geiger said the school will continue to use the current gym while the new one is under construction. 

“We’re eagerly awaiting the start of all of it,” she said.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.