The director of the José Daniel Crespo School, Jesse Díez, stated that the completion of the gymnasium marks the end of a long wait, although he acknowledged that the project still has some shortcomings that they hope can be corrected.
The educational community received the new infrastructure with great pleasure, although they noted that elements such as an air conditioning system are still missing, as the gymnasium does not have air conditioning, causing discomfort due to the high temperatures recorded for much of the year in the region.
However, it was highlighted that the gymnasium is now operational, allowing activities that had been limited for years to resume.
In the context of the gymnasium's opening, personnel from the National Council for Sustainable Development (CONADES) conducted a visit to evaluate the facilities, with a view to making adaptations that will allow for the holding of the National Youth Renewal Encounter (ENRJ) 2026, an event that annually brings together about 5,000 young people from across the country.
The National Youth Renewal Encounter 2026 will take place from January 22 to 25, 2026, with the gymnasium of the José Daniel Crespo School serving as the venue. This will mark the event's return to its place of origin, where it was celebrated for several decades and had to be suspended in previous years due to the conditions of the old structure.
The infrastructure will be used for the first time during the ninth and twelfth-grade graduations this year, marking a significant step forward for the academic, athletic, and community development of the emblematic educational center.
The executive director of CONADES, Antonio Tercero González, explained that the entity is considering the installation of potable water reserve tanks around the perimeter of the gymnasium, with the aim of guaranteeing an adequate supply during the youth encounter.
After 12 years of waiting and with an approximate investment of $8 million, the José Daniel Crespo School, in the city of Chitré, officially inaugurated its new gymnasium, a project long-awaited by the educational community and the population of the province of Herrera.
He added that they are also evaluating the reinforcement of the storage capacity of the bathrooms and other sanitary facilities, in order to offer a hygienic, functional, and sustainable space for participants.
