TFHS improvements become a reality

After several delays, new football bleachers were finally delivered to Thompson Falls High School last week . According to Athletic Director Jake Mickelson, a team should arrive sometime this week to set them up. The new bleachers have been in the works for many years, Mickelson said, however the funding has been difficult to allocate. Mickelson explained that after donations from Thompson River Lumber and Thompson Falls Main Street, they could finally become a reality.

When the bleacher materials were delivered from North Carolina, the football team helped unload the used bleachers near their new home. They will be set up on the home side of the high school football field, next to the concession booth. Mickelson said they cost about $45,000, and the last time the school put in new bleachers, the football team won a state championship. Mickelson said he and the team "hope to follow suit" this year.

Those old wooden bleachers have since been taken down. The new bleachers are metal and will be elevated. They will be 10 rows high and have a capacity of 300 spectators. "It's all just coming together," said Mickelson. He added that a large "TF" sign on the back wall of the gym, overlooking the football field, was installed last Monday. That sign has been in the works for about three to four years and was made possible by a donation by the Blue Hawk Booster Club. "Everything is just exceptional," said an optimistic Mickelson, hoping the new additions stand as good omens for his team.