Under-utilized

Some weekends, and weeknights, I go by the Tribal gymnasium to work out. Most people aren't aware there are multiple gyms and workout rooms at the Tribal offices, one in the Governance Center, one by the gymnasium, and yet another over at Natural Resources. Usually I call our security officers to let me in, since I prefer to work out in the evening when nobody else is around. Honestly, I don't work out nearly as much as I should.
The stage in the gymnasium was set up for some sort of performance. Speakers were out, a man and woman were rehearsing, and chairs were set up to accommodate and audience. A Christian concert will be taking place there tonight, a fundraiser for the Lighthouse Church up Grand Ronde rd., a place I understand where a number of Tribal members go, maybe even a Council member or two. Last summer I attended a heavy metal concert at the same venue. In addition, we've had funerals, General Council and community meetings, a conference on meth, and for that matter, a number of other conferences.
A lot of money has been poured into Tribal buildings over the last ten years. Most of them are quite modern, and compared to what was out here prior to Spirit Mountain Casino and the influx of money it brought, they are state-of-the-art. The main community centers were the local elementary school and St. Michael's Parish. I know, because that is where the Tribe had many functions prior. In the mid-1990's, I can remember the school gym is where we celebrated our Restoration.
The Tribal facilities are getting more use, that is true. But I can't help but wonder if they are getting enough. It would seem that with the influx of a few hundred new residents in 2003 and 2006 because of Tribal housing there would be a greater demand on the gym for recreational facilities, or other buildings for social gatherings. Maybe there is and I just don't know it. But most weekends I find a reason to drive by the Tribal offices and see buildings dormant on weekends. Perhaps people like their homes. It might be rural thing. I know this, having a free gymnasium to use is almost a luxury, what with what how much gyms charge these days. Admittedly, we are not Gold's Gym. But last week, Roy Jones, Jr. the former boxing champion who was in town to promote Spirit Mountain's first ever boxing match saw fit to use it. Safe to say it came in pretty handy then.