If you’ve been in the Calais gym recently, you may have noticed something different… And better!

Take a look around and you’ll immediately see what we mean. The gym’s outdated wall padding has been replaced with new acoustic-grade padding designed to improve both safety and comfort. The new padding helps protect students from high-impact collisions with hard walls while also absorbing sound to reduce noise levels, creating a calmer, more inclusive environment that supports focus, communication, and learning.

This upgrade is a significant improvement to one of our school’s busiest spaces. The gym is used daily—serving as a central gathering place for assemblies, performances, graduations, lunch periods, gym classes and special events throughout the year.

But beyond its functionality, the new wall padding has become a source of school pride. Custom-designed with a large Calais School logo and Cougar mascot imprint in the school’s signature maroon and white colors, it gives the gym a fresh, sleek look while instilling a sense of school spirit.

Funding for the project was made possible through The Calais Foundation, whose ongoing support helps provide resources and opportunities that enrich the educational experience for Calais students.

“This project reflects our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment where every student can thrive,” said Calais School Executive Director John Cohrs. “We were especially excited to unveil the new look at this year’s graduation, allowing families and the entire Calais community to celebrate this milestone in a space that reflects the great pride we have in our school.”