Nims Middle School Unveils New $4 Million Gymnasium

The long-awaited athletic facility is now open to students and the community.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:03am

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Nims Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida has officially opened its brand-new $4 million gymnasium, fulfilling a promise made by Superintendent Rocky Hanna 10 years ago. The new facility, which can hold up to 370 people, features the school's classic black and gold colors and includes a shiny new floor with the Trojans' branding. The project, funded by a local sales tax initiative, faced some delays due to supply and labor issues but is now ready for students, sports teams, and community events.

Why it matters

The new gymnasium represents an important investment in the educational and athletic infrastructure of Nims Middle School, providing students with modern facilities on par with other schools in the district. It also highlights the district's commitment to upgrading aging facilities across Leon County through the voter-approved sales tax initiative.

The details

The new Nims Middle School gymnasium was budgeted at $4 million and was expected to be completed by December 2025, but supply chain and labor challenges caused a delay. The space can hold up to 370 people and features the school's classic black and gold colors, including a shiny new floor with the Trojans' branding. The project was funded through Leon County's half-penny sales tax initiative, which brings in about $31 million annually for the district's capital outlay budget.

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new gymnasium took place on March 13, 2026.
  • The new facility will open to students on March 24, 2026.

The players

Rocky Hanna

The Superintendent of Leon County Schools, who made a promise 10 years ago to provide Nims Middle School students with the same quality facilities as other schools in the district.

Roderick Glenn

The physical education teacher and sports coach at Nims Middle School, who attended the school as a sixth-grade student in 1974 and has worked there since 1992.

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What they’re saying

“These kids deserve the same quality of facilities that other kids in other parts of our district have, and today is a proud moment for me, our school board members, and most importantly, a proud moment for the students that walk these halls each and every day.”

— Rocky Hanna, Superintendent (Tallahassee Democrat)

“As a sixth grader here, this gym was like our haven. I love being here and I don't want to be anywhere else.”

— Roderick Glenn, Physical Education Teacher and Sports Coach (Tallahassee Democrat)

What’s next

Superintendent Hanna and the Leon County School Board plan to ask voters to renew the district's half-penny sales tax initiative on the November ballot, which would continue to fund capital improvement projects like the new Nims Middle School gymnasium.

The takeaway

The opening of the new $4 million gymnasium at Nims Middle School demonstrates the district's commitment to providing students with modern, high-quality athletic facilities, regardless of the school's location. This project, funded by a voter-approved sales tax, is part of a broader effort to upgrade aging infrastructure across Leon County schools.