Since opening in 1981, Moffat County High School has seen changes little by little in its athletic facilities.

For those who came of age shooting free throws, driving an opponent to the wrestling mat or spiking a volleyball to the opposite side of the court in the past four decades, the once-familiar site of their teenage development is practically unrecognizable.

After four months of renovations, the Craig community got its first look at the new MCHS gym, a project that amounted to about $1.2 million for new flooring, seating and more.

Officials with the Moffat County School District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the occasion as MCHS Executive Director Ryan Frink welcomed guests.

Frink passed the microphone to Athletic Director Dillon Hoselton, who detailed a quick breakdown of the history of the gym since the building was erected 43 years ago.

In that time, MCHS sports has earned 10 team state championships, five each by the cross country and wrestling programs.

He noted that 16 individual state wrestling champs — three of whom who were two-time victors — grappled in the gym and were cheered on by local fans.

“That just goes to show how important athletics are in this community and the kind of success that this gym has seen,” Hoselton said. “As we move forward, we’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re excited about hanging more banners in there.”

Superintendent Mathew Neal noted that, while the gym renovation was already well in motion before he started in his position this year, he was happy to welcome the community to its unveiling.

“I can’t take credit for what you’re about to experience. I’m just gracious for the amount of work that’s gone into it,” Neal said.

MCSD board president Heather Cannon quoted basketball great Michael Jordan in the spirit of what makes a champion: “Some people want it to happen. Some wish it would happen. Others make it happen.”

“By instilling our youth with the determination to make it happen, our student athletes will then transform into role models for the younger generation that is to follow,” Cannon said.

Once the ribbon was snipped in the archway of balloons, the Moffat County volleyball team was the first to see the full results of the gym with fanfare from the MCHS band program already inside playing the school song.

The new flooring features a matte finish with a variety of colorful graphics — including a Bulldog logo taking up much of the middle and wordmarks on either end — while the wooden bleachers have been replaced by plastic seating options, more benchlike on the northern side and seats featuring backrests on the southern end.

A Bulldog mural in the southwest corner of the gym was painted over — but preserved with a framed print just outside the entrance — while the original center court of the gym hangs on the northern wall.

FCI Constructors served as the general contractor for the project with numerous subcontractors working with them.

FCI’s Austin Sadvar, a 2010 MCHS graduate, served as project engineer for the renovation.

“It was really cool to see it all come together like this,” he said. “Right before I got into high school here was when they refinished the floor the last time. It was fun to be able to come up here and spruce it up again.”

Sadvar, his parents and sister were among the honored guests Thursday night as dozens of former Bulldogs came out on the floor leading up to the Dogs’ varsity volleyball game.

Another former athlete was Stephanie Murr, who was involved in volleyball, basketball, track and golf before she graduated in 2004. Murr, an elementary teacher in the district, said she was thrilled with the look of the space where she spent countless hours practicing.

“It looks great updated like this,” she said. “I really love the color scheme, very modern.”

She added that she also enjoyed the American flag that was unfurled from the rafters over center court, with Erin Knez — a current MCHS teacher and alumnus — singing the national anthem.

The first varsity event in the new gym was a successful one. MoCo girls took the win in five sets against Basalt (20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16, 15-9).

One of the team’s setters, sophomore Adrian Profumo, said the win on what was already a special night made the game even better.

“We communicated way better and fixed our problems and tried to make less mistakes,” she said.

Moving to 7-9 overall and 3-3 in the 3A Western Slope League, head coach Becca Caldwell said the return to the home floor meant a lot after months of practicing in a smaller venue.

“This feels like the Olympics to us,” she said. “They tend to perform well under pressure. I knew they would do it. I knew it.”