The Webb Schools is constantly innovating. Near the start of 2023, Webb completed the construction of McMillan Park amphitheater beside the crossroads, followed by the new Bonnie Johnson laboratory in 2024. Over the summer, the school started the remodeling of the Fawcett library with the addition of the new Charles Huang Innovation Wing.   

“Webb is constantly evaluating the scope of our facilities and checking if it meets the needs of academics and afternoon programs,” said Steve Wishek, Director of Athletics.   

With most of these newer renovations revolving around academics, Webb is transitioning the focus to sports structures. These implementations, which include the Les Perry Gymnasium, wrestling room, weight room, and the tennis courts around campus, can build Webb towards a more well-rounded school.  

“I don’t think anyone would be surprised that the gym is something that we’re planning to remodel, but there’s a lot that goes into that, which includes assessing programmatic needs, cost, and raising money,” Mr. Wishek said. “Any capital project has a master plan.” 

With that in mind, students and coaches from various sports contributed their suggestions for renovating sports facilities.  The wrestling team, which shares a gymnasium with basketball, has increased its team members from 8 to 35 in the past two years.  

“Last year, we had to actually move some of the practices from the wrestling room over to the shed by the football field,” Simon Xu (‘26) said. “We had to split up because it was inconvenient and risky to have so many people in such a small space all at once.” 

The increased size made it difficult to fit the entire team on a single mat in the gym. 

“Having an extra wrestling room in the gym would be nice so we won’t be split up between two places.” Simon said. “We use the weight room sometimes, so assault bikes would also be a cool addition. It’s a great way to do cardio without putting too much stress on your joints from running or doing live wrestling.” 

The Webb basketball team is split up during practices as well. During the winter season, basketball frosh practices at the courts outside of the Les Perry Gymnasium, while varsity and JV have their practices in the gym, but at different times.  

“I find basketball both fun and challenging,” said Andrew Paik (‘25), a player on the Webb basketball varsity. “While the sport is very physically demanding, it creates a strong community between teammates.” 

The basketball team is also looking to provide suggestions for what can be renovated in the gym. Similar to the wrestling team, the basketball team also feels that there are some improvements that can be made to the weightlifting room.  

“The [weightlifting] room is small, and the facilities lack variety. Adding more training machines would be helpful, but that also means increasing the weightroom size.” Andrew said. “The gym also needs a new floor; it will decrease the risk of injury.” 

Unlike most high schools, who have their six tennis courts placed diagonally in one place, Webb split their tennis courts in three separate locations – three at chandler field, one near the pool, and two at the center of the upper dorms.  

“I feel like some parts of the lower courts can be improved,” said Larry Zhou (‘26), a player on the boys’ varsity team. “There is this one spot on the courts near the math classrooms that accumulates water after a massive rain, which takes a long time to dry. It would be nice to have this part of the court to be repainted or adjusted slightly.” 

We saw Webb bringing parasols onto the courts recently during the September heatwave, which is a nice addition that lowers the risks of players getting sunburned or a heat stroke. Hence, many of the tennis players are eager to share what can be improved about the tennis courts.  

“I would love to have a locker room near the tennis courts,” Jasmine Beseth (‘25) said. “We always change in the math classrooms, which can be inconvenient sometimes.” 

Larry, who often plays at upper courts in the afternoon, felt there isn’t enough time to play tennis after school, with the sun setting earlier.  

“I am advocating for the installation of lights around the courts, not even large lights like the ones in public courts, just small ones so we can see in the dark,” Larry said. “I understand that the residents might complain about the lights, but Webb can consider striking a compromise with them.”