HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — Hudsonville High School held a ribbon cutting for its new fieldhouse Thursday night, celebrating the opening of one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state.
The ceremony marks a period of significant growth in the city and larger school district, as both Hudsonville and Unity Christian— a nearby private high school— are reporting yearly increases in enrollment.
"I think it's a great community," HPS Superintendent Dr. Doug VanderJagt said about Hudsonville, a town referred to as Salad Bowl City for its celery and onion production. "It's a great place to educate your child."
In the 2023-24 school year, 6,720 students enrolled at Hudsonville Public Schools, earning it a Division I ranking in the MHSAA, a classification afforded to the state's largest high schools.
These student-athletes will soon be able to play in the new 104,442 square-foot facility, which is also stocked with wrestling, fitness and locker rooms, along with a 1/9 mile track and tennis court.
"They get to make this into their house," Hudsonville High School Principal Jordan Beel said during Thursday's ribbon cutting. "It's not hyperbole to say it's going to be one of the biggest and most impressive facilities in the state."
The larger performance space will be able to seat 3,700 spectators, perfectly capable of hosting a large-scale graduation ceremony.
"[It] will be exciting for our kids to say, 'Hey, we're in our own backyard.'" VanderJagt said.
Whether it be diplomas at graduation or digs in a volleyball game, a movable video board and LED light system will be able to set a technicolor atmosphere.
"What does [a fieldhouse] look like as Hudsonville continues to grow?" VanderJagt said. "How do we have facilities that are, quite frankly, state of the art?"
The $26.5M dollar facility— which connects the high school's freshman and 10-12 buildings— dips into a $139M bond, passed in 2019 by voters in the public school district.
"I think Western Michigan is full of good schools, I have to be honest," said VanderJagt.
A few miles down the road on 48th Avenue, Unity Christian High School expects to see enrollment increase 50 to 60 students per year, for the next seven to eight years.
“We need to be ready, and that's why we're building," said Jerry DeGroot, CEO and principal of UCHS.
This spring, Unity began construction on phase one of a two-part expansion, adding classrooms and a connector to its north and south wings, focusing on science, industrial arts, and counseling. The $12.5M-dollar project is fully-funded by donors and expected to be finished by Fall 2024.
"We certainly need the walls to do what we do," DeGroot said. "But it's what's happening inside those walls. That's why people are so excited to get involved."
Prior to Phase One's completion, the school expects to break ground on Phase Two, a "little over" $20M project that will include a multipurpose room, gymnasium, theatre classroom, band/orchestra room and development office.
"It's young families who have students starting school, who desire to have Christ involved in all aspects of life," DeGroot said about Unity's increasing class sizes. "We're trying to prepare one step at a time."
The Unity Christian Crusaders will make the short bus ride to Hudsonville High School next Friday for the fieldhouse's inaugural basketball game.
"We're really excited to get you all in here," Beel said. "Hopefully close to capacity for that big game with our in-town rivals."
