The Tigers and Lady Tigers have a new home to flex their muscles.
The Powerhouse opened before the start of the school year as the new and improved weight training facility for Houston athletes. Once a maintenance and technology building, the renovated space replaces the Big Red Building with a much larger footprint closer on campus to the main district buildings for students and athletes to train.
“The kids love it,” said Julia Sloan, HHS body conditioning and health teacher. “This is something they’re proud of. It’s a good culture shift for us.”
Much larger space on campus
The shell of The Powerhouse, which sits just south of the high school softball field on campus, is 100×100 feet. It includes downstairs locker rooms and an upstairs team meeting room. Both areas are 25×50.
The weight racks, which were stacked against each other inside the old weight room, are now safely spread out with several feet between each one. There is also a turf strip for warming up, running and calisthenics that previously did not exist.
The exponentially larger area allowed the district to offer an “introduction to weights” class this year as well as body conditioning for athletes. During some periods, both classes can use the facility simultaneously.
“The old space was so confined,” Sloan said. “On clean day, we were all over each other. It wasn’t very safe.”
The larger space paid its first dividends during the summer, HHS weights coach Dakota Burchett said, when all male athletes were able to work out together. In previous years, they were split into two sessions due to space constraints in the Big Red Building – used solely now as a locker room.
Once school began, Burchett said classes can work on the same lifts together as opposed to splitting into groups and taking turns.
“We used to split up into groups – some on core lifts and others on auxiliary lifts,” he said. “Now everyone is on the same clock.”
The indoor turf surface is a benefit both Sloan and Burchett praised. Athletes previously warmed up in the parking lot – when Mother Nature cooperated – or other buildings as available.
“We don’t have to wait for good weather anymore or share gym space,” Burchett said.
Proximity eliminates shuttle, expands class times
Prior to the fall of 2025, HHS students rode a shuttle between classes to the Big Red Building for weights training and classes. That ride is no longer necessary.
Because The Powerhouse is adjacent to Tiger Fieldhouse and middle and high school buildings on campus, students can safely and quickly walk to the facility each hour.
“They don’t have to get on a shuttle for a cold or hot drive anymore,” Sloan said.
Eliminating the shuttle has also expanded class time, Burchett said, by five minutes at the start and end of each period.
‘Frugal, thoughtful’ approach maximized space
Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent, said development of The Powerhouse was done in a “frugal, thoughtful way that maximizes impact for our students.” Along with repurposing a space that already existed, the district was able to minimize costs with used and discounted materials.
The list includes the turf, which was purchased in central Missouri from a school district that was upgrading its surface, and a decorative large logo design painted by an alumni of HHS.
Eliminating one of its two shuttles – the other to the Piney River Technical Center still operates between class periods – will save the district in fuel and salary compensation, Copley said.
“The Powerhouse reflects our commitment to athletic excellence and responsible stewardship. More than a building, it represents #TheTigerWay and our dedication to developing prepared, disciplined student-athletes.”
Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent
Building toward the future
Sloan, the head high school volleyball coach, and Burchett, assistant high school football coach, are both big proponents of weight training impacting athletic performance and success.
“Everyone needs to lift,” Burchett said. “It’s crucial for athletics to have strong weight programs and this facility helps with that.”
Sloan said The Powerhouse has created a buzz in the district among students.
“The weight room is where teams do hard things together and you get mentally tough. You get better in here,” Sloan said. “The kids are getting stronger and they’re talking about it. They’re excited.”
Copley said The Powerhouse will continue to develop as a facility with additional equipment and enhancements in the years to come. Sloan said she would like to eventually host weight lifting meets in the facility.
“The competitive person in me wants to be the best facility in the conference,” Burchett said, “and I think we’re capable of it with this.”
