On August 21, Tenri High School held the ground-breaking ceremony for a new gymnasium–due for completion next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the high school–in the presence of Tenrikyo’s Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Masahiko Iburi.
Established in 1908–when it was called Tenri Middle School in accordance with the former education system–the high school decided to construct a new gymnasium to replace its aging Gymnasium #2 as part of the school’s 100th anniversary projects. The new facility is designed to house a judo dojo, a kendo dojo, rooms for club activities, and an assembly hall.
During the ceremony, Rev. Iburi delivered a congratulatory address, in which he said: “Thanks to all the efforts made by those involved, the plan for the construction of the gymnasium, which has been one of our deepest wishes, has been completed and today we are able to conduct the ground-breaking ceremony. I very much hope that the new gymnasium will contribute significantly to education in Tenri.”
In response to Rev. Iburi, Principal Shigehiko Iburi expressed his hope by saying: “We would like to utilize this gymnasium as a ‘center for building virtue.’ Seeing this occasion as an opportunity to make a pledge, we rededicate ourselves to making our utmost effort in pursuing our ideals.”
The construction is scheduled to be completed next autumn. The 100th anniversary of Tenri High School is to be commemorated in Tenri University’s Gymnasium #1 on September 21, 2008.