Bloomington’s 18,400-SF gym doubles during trouble

BLOOMINGTON, VICTORIA COUNTY – Bloomington ISD has completed its 18,400-sf competitive gym, which doubles as a FEMA safe room.

With steel bars reinforcing concrete walls, the $2.9 million facility was constructed to be more than just a gym.

The athletic facility includes a gymnasium, telescoping bleachers, locker rooms and concessions, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Its day-to-day function will be for hosting games and practices, but its main purpose is to be a safe structure in emergencies.

As the community’s first hurricane dome, the structure can provide protection from hurricane winds up to 250 mph, earthquakes, fires and natural disasters.

Victoria County Emergency Management Coordinator Rick McBrayer said the intent is not to use the dome as a shelter.

In times of emergency, the dome will be used to accommodate search and rescue initiatives as a staging area for first responders. The facility provides a 24-hour safe room for first responders, officials, and the medically fragile citizens who cannot evacuate.

"We are a non-sheltering community," McBrayer said. "We do not want to encourage people to come here (to the dome)."

The dome has a generator, a kitchen and restrooms.

The safe dome was built for $159 per sf.