—-Richards v Bremen, in Midlothian n Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson).

Curved Wooden Beam Classic Gym

Bremen’s gym bears a resemblance to a few other Illinois high school gyms, with its layered-curved wood beams. The gyms at Alden-Hebron and St. Joseph High School in Westchester, are almost identical to the Braves’ home court. There are a handful of other gyms across the state that are still standing with a similar look too.

The curved wooden beams (above) that hold up the roof of Bremen’s gym in Midlothian, are very similar to the gyms at Alden-Hebron and St. Joseph, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Daily Southtown).
The design of Alden-Hebron’s Tigard gym is almost identical to Bremen’s gym.
The gym at the now closed St. Joseph High School in Westchester is another look-a-like gym to Bremen and Alden-Hebron.

What Makes A Gym Special?

While Bremen, as well as Alden-Hebron, have been described by many as “neat,” neither have gotten the attention of St. Joseph’s gym did. It was often referred to as hallowed ground in Illinois Hoops’ circles, a side-effect most likely of the basketball tradition there, but off the court there was very little setting the gyms apart from each other.

For sure these gyms stand apart more these days.

Unlike the other gyms built in this style, Bremen’s wood ceiling is painted white, making it a little brighter than the others, Dec. 7, 2021 (Vincent D. Johnson).
Sound-proofing tiles line the walls and some of the ceiling to make the space a little quieter on a normal day, Dec. 7, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson).
Bremen stands apart from the other two gyms, as it is the only one with a stage along one baseline, Dec. 7, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson)
The first 5 feet of the gym walls are made with a terra-cotta finished block and the remainder is traditional brick painted white going to the ceiling, Dec. 7, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson)

Bremen High School has a recently added a field house for sports, but varsity basketball games are still played in the old wooden beam gym.

—-An empty Bremen gym after a game.

View this list of best high school gyms in Illinois | See the gallery of other high school gyms

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Illinois’ Best High School Gyms updates (pick one)

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