Palisades Christian Academy Opens New Gymnasium

By: Palisades Christian Academy

In October 2021, Palisades Christian Academy (PCA) in Spokane, Washington, conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their brand-new multipurpose building/gymnasium. The new addition is more than 15,000 square feet and includes two full-sized basketball courts and a large stage at one end. The gym space has been laid out to accommodate two full volleyball courts, badminton, pickle ball and more.

“We hope to use this space for community gatherings, church nights, and after-school sports,” shared Monte Fisher, principal of PCA.

PCA, formerly Spokane Junior Academy, completed their new main school building in 2009 and was renamed during the relocation of the school campus. Since the relocation, the school has used their bus barn to conduct physical education classes during the winter months.

Now, more than 10 years after the completion of the main building, students finally have a gymnasium to play in, and a large location for social gatherings and events, which is especially appreciated during Spokane’s winter months.

During the ceremony, Fisher thanked all those the contributed to this important addition. The project was heavily impacted by PCA’s development director, Tim Windemuth.

“Coach Windemuth’s unquenchable enthusiasm and driving energy inspires those around him,” said Fisher. “He does this for the kids and loves every minute of it.”

Windemuth served as the athletic director of Walla Walla University for 30 years and is still finding ways to serve the Lord. Windemuth raised a significant portion of the funds for the project, led out at inception and organized volunteer groups to help keep the project on budget. When Windemuth was asked why this is so important, he shared, “We just want to see these kids in heaven.”

Others that were thanked included Wesslen Construction, owned and operated by Jerry and Jeff Wesslen, and Cox Construction, owned and operated by Kenton Cox. The firms united their efforts, agreeing to take on the project in late 2019. The Wesslen and Cox families both attend the South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spokane. The state of the country during the months of the project were uncertain.

Construction costs sky-rocketed, materials became less accessible, and the workforce changed dramatically, yet the project miraculously continued steadily forward. “Despite the challenges that arose in the project, God seemed to always have an answer,” said Fisher. “When we were at a loss, God would open the doors and it was clear who was in charge of this effort,” he added.

Brian Harris, vice president for education, Upper Columbia Conference, was asked to cut the ribbon for the ceremony. Harris was formerly the principal at PCA and was heavily involved in the initial project.

Harris reminisced about the challenges faced during the building of the school, telling a few of the stories about when the school was built more than 10 years ago.

“We take on projects like these,” he reminded the audience of more than 200 students and community attendees, “to bring just One More to the kingdom.”