The Red Hook Central School District community on Friday celebrated the completion of the Jack Lewis Memorial Gymnasium renovation project with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Red Hook High School.
Before the Raiders boys basketball team hosted Saugerties, a contingent of district and school leaders, members of Jack Lewis’ family, members of the Raiders Sports Club and boys basketball players took center court. The group included Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Operations Dr. Erin Hayes; Facilities and Operations Director Scott Rajczi; Principal Dr. Kyle Roddey; Board of Education President Kelly Borrelle, Vice President Erin Misasi and Clerk Heather Paschal; and others.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden and Athletic Director Tom Cassata offered comments before senior Colby Benassutti cut the ribbon with oversized scissors.

Cassata called the renovation project “a dream of mine since I started here.” The gymnasium’s floor and bleachers were original to the school’s opening more than 60 years ago; the floor has been repaired numerous times over the years and the bleachers were out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project, approved by residents in a special vote in October 2024, included a new floor, new bleachers and new paint for the room. A knee wall, where formerly there was a stage, was also removed and a new student section sponsored by the Sports Club now stands in its place.

Both Cassata and Warden thanked various members of the district community for their contributions, as well as the larger Red Hook community for supporting the project. Warden also directly addressed the students sitting in that new “Red Zone” section.

“We hope this new space enhances your physical education program and supports the attributes of our Raider Profile, that we are committed to our students’ physical and emotional health,” she said. “Most importantly, we hope that students find this gym welcoming and supports the goals, teamwork and our sense of belonging.”

The Red Hook boys went on to defeat Saugerties to improve to 6-0 this season.