Red Bay High to get new strength equipment

RED BAY — City leaders, coaches and local organizations are teaming up to fund new strength and conditioning equipment for the high school.

The $12,544.18 project will replace aging weight room equipment, much of it more than 20 years old, according to assistant football coach Joseph Boyd.

Funding comes from the City of Red Bay, the Franklin County Community Development Commission (FCCDC), and fundraising efforts by Boyd, head coach Tyler Jeffreys and the Red Bay Quarterback Club.

Boyd said the equipment will benefit all student athletes. It will be housed in the football fieldhouse, a space that’s used by multiple sports throughout the year.

Planned purchases include new barbells, resistance bands, safety squat handles, and foam plyometric boxes to replace older wooden ones. Some of the funds will also be used to repair existing equipment.

The equipment is expected to be ordered and installed within the next six months, depending on when the funding is received.

Councilman Brad Bolton, who serves on the FCCDC, said Boyd worked with city leaders to identify needs and outline priorities.

“Some of the equipment had become dangerous,” Bolton said. “Coach Boyd has the experience to know what’s needed, and we trusted his judgment.”

The FCCDC is a threemember body formed under state law to distribute TVA in-lieu-oftax funds to local governments and nonprofit groups. Members include the mayors of Red Bay and Russellville, along with representatives for State Rep. Jamie Kiel (Dr. Jeremy Campbell) and State Sen. Larry Stutts (Councilmember Bolton).

According to Bolton, the FCCDC approved $34,000 in grants this cycle out of $50,000 in requests, bringing its total investment in Franklin County to about $2.8 million.

“We see ourselves as partners,” Bolton said of the organization. “And when it benefits our students and their future, that’s worth every penny.”