End of an era; Bellarmine to play last game in Booster Gym on Feb. 5 | Community Spirit

The entry to Bellarmine Prep's Booster Gym.

Over its 50 years, Booster Gym has created a lot of memories for athletes and students at Bellarmine Prep.  But soon, the gym itself will be a memory.

The Lions will play their last basketball games in the historic gym on February 5 as they host Stadium.  The girls game will start at 6:15 p.m., while the boys get going at 8 p.m.  Bellarmine officials are expecting an overflow crowd on the night, and they are opening up the adjacent Names Gym for a video broadcast of the game.

After the end of the boys game, there will be a ceremony celebrating the 50 years of Booster Gym and the many events that happened there.  The gym was built with donations from the Bellarmine Boosters and school supporters.

But one week later, on February 12, demolition of the old gym will get underway.  It is hoped that the new $8 million gym will be ready to go when basketball season starts again in the fall.  The fundraising drive for the new gym, called "It's Game Time", has raised over $5 million so far towards the new gym's construction.

As part of the project, Names Gym will also get a significant renovation.