Athletics
Melvin C. Bushong Memorial Complex
In the spring of 2024 Gainesville School District completed the construction of its new sports complex. The approximately $1 million and was funded 100 percent through district funds, financial contributions and in-kind donations of labor and supplies. Organizers say it was made possible by conservative budgetary measures and wise financial decisions by the school board over the last several years.
Watterson told the attendees that the field had been named the Melvin C. Bushong Memorial Complex in honor of Bushong, the original owner of the land where the ballfields now sit.
The land was originally donated after his death to become an airport. After operating as an airport for some time, in May of 1950, the airport was dedicated as a memorial to those who served and died in WWII. The sign was later changed to include “all war veterans.”
Many decades later, in partnership and cooperation with the Bushong family heirs, the Gainesville School District acquired the property for a new purpose, a sports complex.
2024 Senior graduate Kannon Morrison created a wonderful video showing the progress of the project construction.
