Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a three-part series on the new John A. Holmes High School, which will open to students Jan. 26 in Edenton. The other stories focus on academic and career-technology classrooms and the impact on extracurriculars such as sports, the performing arts, and organizations. We provide an update on the status of the Scout Hut, which was relocated to accommodate construction.

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By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — The gymnasium at the new John A. Holmes High School features gleaming light brown-colored wood floors, the Aces logo prominently displayed at center court, and enough space to accommodate approximately 1,200 spectators.

But the real game-changer isn’t just the updated facility — it’s what the new building enables for student-athletes, artists, and everyone in between.

“I can’t stress how excited our coaches and teams are to practice and play in our new state-of-the-art facilities,” Athletic Director Wes Mattera said. “We can only hope that our new home will bring and create as many lasting and special moments as the one that served our student-athletes and community for nearly 75 years. The new facilities and school as a whole are just another example of how committed Chowan County is to our youth.”

Two gyms, endless possibilities

Perhaps the most significant athletic upgrade is the dual-gym setup. A divider curtain separates the gymnasium into two distinct courts — one with traditional hardwood flooring, the other with rubber surfacing.

This configuration allows several teams to practice simultaneously, eliminating scheduling conflicts and maximizing available practice time. It will also allow for several PE classes to have their own space for class at the same time.

“With two gyms allowing multiple teams to practice at the same time, and new events to be hosted by ECPS,” Mattera explained, listing this as a top athletic improvement.

The flexibility extends beyond basketball. With wrestling mats that roll out onto the floor and store when not in use, the facility seamlessly supports multiple sports.

If the game schedule remains unchanged, the last ACES basketball game in the old gym will be Jan. 23, with the first game in the new facility on Feb. 3. However, these dates are subject to change based on weather and scheduling adjustments. Aces fans can confirm the first games at the new school by visiting the John A. Holmes Athletics page on Facebook.

Wrestling returns home

Since construction began three years ago, the John A. Holmes wrestling team has had no home facility for matches. Wrestlers traveled for every match, practicing where space allowed, never experiencing the advantage of competing on their own mat.

That changes in the new building.

“Wrestling now has a HOME facility within the school to host matches,” said Principal Sonya Rinehart. 

The rollaway wrestling mats provide easy setup and storage. With a capacity of approximately 1,200, the gymnasium can host conference tournaments and end-of-season competitions that previously had to be held elsewhere.

Modern locker room facilities

The locker room upgrades represent a massive improvement over the previous facilities, according to Rinehart.

The new boys’ and girls’ locker rooms feature individual lockers, benches and shower stalls with privacy curtains. Each locker room includes a television and whiteboard for halftime adjustments and post-practice reviews.

“These are our locker rooms, so we’ve got girls and boys locker rooms, which are amazing,” Rinehart said during a tour. “Our volleyball and basketball teams all have access to these locker rooms.”

Visitor locker rooms are located separately at the end of the hallway, with direct access to an exterior door.

“When they’re coming in, our visitors will come straight here. They will never have to be with our public. They’ll exit this door and get on their bus,” Rinehart explained.

The visitor’s locker rooms will provide order and safety for everyone.

Athletic training facility

Adjacent to the gymnasium, the athletic training room provides professional-level care for student athletes.

The facility includes six examination tables, allowing the athletic trainer to work with multiple athletes simultaneously. Two ice baths and an ice machine support injury treatment and recovery.

Perhaps most importantly, the training room has direct access to both the gymnasium and an exterior exit.

“If there’s an injury on the court, they can quickly get them into the training room for immediate assessment and treatment, then use the outdoor access if they need to transport someone,” Rinehart said.

The location ensures the athletic trainer can respond quickly during games and practices while providing a private space for treatment and rehabilitation.

The existing fieldhouse — part of the old campus — will remain and continue serving multiple functions. The marching band will have a dedicated practice field across from the back entrance of the school, with easy access through roll-up doors from the band room.

Tennis courts expand at new location

The new tennis courts will be located along Park Avenue, near the auditorium part of the school building.

The facility will provide six tennis courts running along Park Avenue, said Superintendent Tammi Ward.

“The addition of the lighted courts provide both our students and community with courts that have been designed for competitive play and durability,” she said. “Tennis is just one of the sports provided at John A. Holmes to meet different student interests and skills.”

Edenton-Chowan Schools thanks Edenton Lake and Harbor community, the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department and Lawrence Academy for allowing the John A. Holmes Hhigh School tennis teams to use their courts for both practice and matches during the transition preriod.

“The new courts will allow our community to enjoy the sport of tennis right here at JAH like they have done for decades before,” Ward said.

The performing arts take center stage

While athletics get new facilities, the performing arts programs receive equally impressive upgrades.

The 390-seat auditorium features a separate lobby entrance, allowing the school to close off the rest of the building during performances. Nearby bathrooms, a ticket booth, and a concession stand create a complete theater experience.

“This is our theater lobby, and this is where the concession stand will be. The bathrooms will be nearby for when we’re having events here for the theater,” Rinehart explained during a recent tour before winter break. “So we can block off the rest of the building, which is exciting.”

Band and choir rooms offer practice space

The band director’s office connects directly to a large rehearsal space, which has rollup doors opening onto the multipurpose field.

“He can roll this door off, go straight to the multipurpose field, and practice marching band right there,” Rinehart said. “Easy access — he’ll roll right out here, roll up there to the open gate, and he’ll have his band right there.”

The room also includes smaller practice spaces where sections can work independently or where the director can conduct individual evaluations.

Band Director Matthew Brannon expressed enthusiasm about the new possibilities: “The transition into the new space offers so much more opportunity for our music programs. With the addition of the Performing Arts Center and of course the new Band and Choir room spaces, we are looking forward to branching out and achieving so much more for our students and our community. We are working to host musical groups and beyond on a much larger scale than we ever have previously and effectively turn Edenton into a hub for various annual events both scholastic and professional. Our students often speak about how they are so excited to see it come to life in 2026!”

The choir area includes similar breakout rooms for section rehearsals and individual work. Storage space for robes and equipment connects to easy backstage access to the auditorium.

“(Gena-Erin Copeland) can have different groups doing different things in separate rooms,” Rinehart noted. “And it’s easy (to go to the theater) because she can exit right from (the back door) and has direct access to the theater.”

Art gallery and studio

The art program, current led by teacher Lina Ahs, receives dedicated classroom space plus a separate gallery or studio area where students can work on larger projects.

Natural light floods the space through two stories of large windows — a feature emphasized throughout the building but particularly important for visual arts.

“This is our art gallery, our art studio, where she can set up easels for painting,” Rinehart said. “She has pottery equipment, and everything can roll in and out for her supplies.”

Media hub and student broadcasting

On the second floor of the academic wing (toward Broad Street), the media hub represents a reimagining of the traditional school library.

Rather than rows of stacks and study carrels, the space features flexible seating, collaborative work areas, and technology labs, including a green-screen room for video production and a podcast studio.

“We will have book checkout and things of that nature, but it will not be a traditional library,” Rinehart explained. “It’s mostly going to be a space for people to have club meetings, study groups, student projects.”

The school plans to launch regular video broadcasts featuring students, replacing traditional morning announcements with produced content. A podcast program will also give students experience with audio production and interviewing.

“She’s going to be pulling that together and getting our kids not only listening to podcasts but creating podcasts,” Rinehart said of media innovation coach Abigail Ali.

Conference rooms and smaller breakout spaces throughout the media hub accommodate everything from student government meetings to tutoring sessions.

Club spaces and student life

Throughout the building, flexible spaces support extracurricular activities and student organizations.

The collaborative commons area on the first floor can accommodate parent meetings, club gatherings, and student study sessions. “Huddle rooms” — small enclosed spaces with glass walls — provide areas for small-group work or testing accommodations.

“If we have students that need small group testing or one-on-one testing for inclusion, right now there’s nowhere for them to go,” Rinehart said. “This will provide them an area to come in and have that.”

The teacher workrooms on each floor — a first for John A. Holmes after 31 years — gives faculty a space to collaborate, prepare materials, and take breaks. It connects to a kitchenette area, eliminating the need for teachers to travel to other buildings for lunch or coffee.

Outdoor spaces

Beyond the indoor facilities, outdoor areas enhance both athletics and student life.

The cafeteria features large glass doors that open onto a paver patio with picnic tables, allowing students to eat outside in good weather.

“Kids will be able to eat outside or inside,” Rinehart said. “We’re super excited for them to be able to get out.”

Landscaping includes magnolia trees and other plantings designed to create an inviting campus environment. Irrigation systems will maintain the grounds, which will be sodded rather than seeded.

What it means

When visitors arrive for athletic events or performances, they’ll find a dramatically different experience than the facilities offered previously.

The main entrance on Oakum Street creates a welcoming arrival, with clear signage directing visitors to the gymnasium or auditorium. The capacity increase to approximately 1,200 for basketball and volleyball games means the school can host larger tournaments and conference championships.

For wrestling, the change is even more dramatic — the team will experience home-mat advantage and the support of their community as they compete.

Beyond the physical improvements, these facilities represent expanded opportunities for students to explore interests, develop talents, and build skills.

More practice time means more playing time for more student-athletes. Better-performing spaces enable more ambitious productions. Broadcasting and podcast studios mean students can develop modern media skills. Art studios mean larger, more complex projects.

The building doesn’t just house programs — it enables them to grow.

As students prepare to take ownership of these spaces, the potential feels limitless. The stage is set — literally and figuratively — for John A. Holmes students to shine.