With the new Lumberjack Arena completed, it’s important to learn what came before. The last Warren High School gymnasium was constructed was 1963 on Seminary Street. The old gymnasium was built by Simmons and Sons, Inc. who were the contractors. Trapp, Clippard and Phelps were the architects. At the time, the Warren School Superintendent was P.H. Herring. John Scobey was the school board president. G.C. Sangster, Curtis Blankinship, Charles Milton, and Don Smith were on the school board then.
The construction was part of a $750,000 program that included improvements and additions to Warren High School in 1963. New classrooms and a cafeteria were added to what was then named, Bradley County High School. The interior of Warren High School was redone with new floors and various room changes.
The Warren Lumberjacks’ first basketball game in the new (at the time) gymnasium was a cage jamboree between Warren, Banks, and New Edinburg. The first official game in the new gymnasium was against the Drew Central Pirates.
The scoreboard was placed in the building by First National Bank and Merchants and Planters Agency. A mural of a “Fightin’ Lumberjack” was painted on the west wall by a Monticello bottling company employee. Through fund-raising activities of the Lumberjack Booster Club, a glass backboard was placed. The floor was of Wilson’s maple blocks.
Now, 60 years later, in January of 2023, the new Warren Lumberjack Arena was constructed and completed. The arena project began in 2021. Voters approved a property millage tax increase from 36.5 mills to 41.5 mills to help fund the Lumberjack Arena and the upcoming elementary school project. Clark Contractors was the general contractor on the project. Odom Architecture drew the blueprints.
The arena boasts 1,843 capacity seating with 2,500 seats available for non-sporting events in which the floor can be cleared. The arena facility has 36,380 square feet. It includes locker rooms, laundry, a multi-purpose room, a large classroom, offices, a therapy room, an upper-level concourse, and concession stand.
The first basketball game played in the arena was on January 27, against the Monticello Billies. Crowds filled the orange and black bleachers. Both the Lumberjacks and Lady Jacks played. The Lady Jacks lost to the Lady Billies 45-32. However, the Lumberjacks won against the Billies, 49-48.
Before the new arena was officially open, the Arkansas Activities Association announced the Lumberjack Arena would be the home of the 2023 4A South Regional Tournament. This big four-day regional tournament, which ran February 22 through February 25, would also have the first games played in the newly built arena, ushering in a new era for the Lumberjacks.
It was the first time Warren hosted the regional tournament. To be eligible to host the 4A regional tournament, the Arkansas Activities Association requires a minimum seating capacity of 1,400. With the new Lumberjack arena now constructed and ready for use, Warren was able to host with its 1,843-capacity seating. Warren was one of three host cities for the 4A tournament.
Improvements are still being made so the total cost of the arena has not been calculated yet.
Besides basketball games, the arena will also be used for school events. It was recently announced Warren High School graduation would take place at the Lumberjack Arena this year.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 25, Superintendent Bryan Cornish thanked the community for their support of the new arena on behalf of the Warren School District and the Warren School Board.
