MICHAEL PISTELLA Those attending the Oasis Charter High School gym dedication were able to watch the gym in use as the school’s volleyball team held a morning practice Saturday.

Cape Coral’s Oasis Charter High School celebrated the opening of their new gym on Saturday, a state-of-the art facility that boasts a whole of host of interesting features.

But, the opening of the gym also signaled a completion of sorts for the city’s charter school system, which has grown tremendously over the last six years.

Ground was broken on their new high school facility two years ago, while ground was broken on the gymnasium only eight months ago.

The charter school system now offers the opportunity for students to begin and end their primary educations on one beautiful campus.

“We’re truly blessed,” said Charter School Administrator Lee Bush. “This was made possible by the people we have working on our school system. This is their success.”

The two-story facility boasts classrooms, offices for coaches, boys and girls locker rooms, a lobby, ticket booth and a full-sized regulation basketball court dubbed “the Shark Tanks” after the Oasis High Mascot.

Other interesting features include an elevated, cushioned walking track on the second floor and a fitness room with a retractable wall for yoga classes.

The fitness room is going to be open to charter school faculty and parents of charter school students. It may eventually be open to the public, depending on the use by those two groups, according to Bush.

Even though the charter school system has reached a plateau, as Bush describes it, with the completion of the high school and the gymnasium, he said was important to keep looking ahead for ways to grow the system and provide more opportunities for students.

With 2,800 students, there’s more room to grow, he said.

“We don’t know where we’re going from here, but we won’t stop,” Bush added.

Faculty, students and city dignitaries showed for the grand opening.

Charter School Board Chair Marillyn Stout marveled at the success of the charter school system and the educational opportunities available in Cape Coral.

“We have a waiting list, which should tell you about the quality of education kids are receiving here,” she said.

Cape Coral Councilmember Bill Deile, liaison to the Charter School Governing Board, said the opening of the new gym and growth of the city-run charter school system was a way to plan for the future.

“It’s important we do something for the benefit of our youth. They’re our future,” he said.