(Ste. Genevieve, MO) – The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District recently celebrated the official opening of its new wrestling facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, community tours and a special recognition of wrestling alumni during the Ste. Genevieve High School varsity football game against North County.
The event brought together students, families, alumni, current and former faculty and staff and community members to celebrate the completion of another major project made possible through Prop SG, the district’s $20 million no-tax-increase bond issue approved by voters in April 2022.
Located behind the Performing Arts Center on the Ste. Genevieve campus, the new practice facility provides the district’s wrestling program with a dedicated space for practices, training and preparation. The building features a large wrestling practice area, locker rooms, restrooms, office and storage space, as well as a golf simulator room to support year-round training opportunities for student-athletes.
While the building provides a new home for Dragon wrestling, it was designed with flexibility in mind. The facility also supports a variety of other district programs and activities, including golf, cheer, band, color guard, cross country, track and field and football. The district also provides opportunities for community groups to utilize the space.
During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor welcomed attendees and recognized the many individuals and organizations whose involvement helped bring the project to completion.
“Each of you played a key role in the facilities planning and bond election process, and we are grateful for your feedback, support and trust,” Taylor said. “This project wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Taylor also recognized KRJ Architects and Brockmiller Construction, the district’s architectural firm and Construction Manager At-Risk, for their work throughout the design and construction process.
Athletic Director Dr. Jeff Nix highlighted the opportunities the new facility will provide for students across multiple programs, emphasizing its role as both an athletic training space and a resource for the broader school community.
“It isn’t just about the building we’re opening today,” Nix said. “It’s about what will happen inside it — the practices, the hard work, the friendships, the traditions and the opportunities our Dragons and our community will have here for years to come.”
Head Wrestling Coach Jared Bonnell, who led the ribbon-cutting portion of the ceremony, expressed his appreciation for the community’s investment in the wrestling program and its future.
“This gives our program a place to call home — a place where our kids can come in every day, put in the work, get better and continue building on the tradition of Ste. Genevieve wrestling,” Bonnell said.
With the help of Dragon wrestlers, Bonnell led attendees in a countdown before the ceremonial ribbon was cut, officially marking the opening of the facility. Guests were then invited inside to tour the building and see the new spaces firsthand.
The celebration continued that evening during the SGHS varsity football game, where former Dragon wrestlers were invited onto the field for special halftime recognition. The alumni recognition connected generations of Ste. Genevieve wrestlers while celebrating the program’s history and the opportunities ahead.
The new facility also creates opportunities for improvements elsewhere on campus. With the wrestling program moving into its dedicated building, the former wrestling room is slated for conversion into an expanded weight room, providing additional training space for SGHS student-athletes.
The wrestling practice facility is among the final major projects completed through Prop SG. Through these projects, SG R-II continues to build upon the community’s investment in facilities that support students, expand opportunities and serve future generations of Dragons.
The district extends its appreciation to the voters, Facilities Committee members, Board of Education, district staff, families, project partners, community members and all of those who helped make the new wrestling facility a reality.