McCarthy Gymnasium

- 801 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Introduction / Overview

For Oklahoma City residents, the McCarthy Gymnasium is recognized as a significant local institution, serving as the central hub for athletic activity at the prestigious Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. Located conveniently in the heart of OKC, this facility is much more than a simple gymnasium; it is a major complex that has been refurbished and expanded to provide a high-quality venue for high school sports, tournaments, and various community events. The gymnasium is a key component of the school's commitment to educating the whole person, providing students with state-of-the-art facilities for their physical development and competitive spirit.

The gymnasium originally followed the completion of the main academic building in 1950 and has since undergone extensive renovation, most notably in 2008, to update its facilities. This revitalization included significant enhancements to the features used by the school's successful basketball, wrestling, and volleyball programs. While primarily serving the student body, its size and reputation—often described in reviews as a "large complex of facilities"—make it a notable landmark in the Oklahoma City sports community, especially for hosting major athletic tournaments. The venue is characterized by a strong 'Irish green' spirit, reflective of the school's long and proud tradition, making it a familiar and spirited place for generations of Oklahoma families.

Location and Accessibility

McCarthy Gymnasium is strategically located in a well-known area of Oklahoma City, ensuring easy access for students, families, and tournament attendees from across the metro area and beyond. Its address places it firmly in a central and recognizable location, near the intersection of 50th Street and Western Avenue.

The exact address is: 801 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, USA.

The facility demonstrates a solid commitment to accessibility, ensuring that all visitors, whether participants or spectators, can comfortably attend events and utilize the complex. The gymnasium provides a Wheelchair accessible entrance, allowing smooth entry for all guests. For parking convenience, a Wheelchair accessible parking lot is available. Furthermore, the venue ensures comfort and ease of use for all visitors by including a Wheelchair accessible restroom in its amenity offerings. This focus on comprehensive accessibility is essential for a large complex that routinely hosts major athletic events and draws diverse crowds from the Oklahoma community.

Services Offered

As an athletic facility primarily serving a high school, the "services" of the McCarthy Gymnasium revolve around providing the best possible environment for competitive sports, physical education, and community gatherings.

• Multi-Sport Venue: The facility is the primary venue for competitive high school sports, including Basketball, Volleyball, and Wrestling, serving as the home court for the school's teams.
• Tournament Hosting: The gymnasium is frequently used to host major athletic tournaments, attracting teams and spectators from across Oklahoma and the region, which is a key service to the local sports community.
• Physical Education and Training Space: The complex includes dedicated areas for student physical education classes and organized team practices, supporting the curriculum and daily athletic needs of the student body.
• Spectator Amenities: Following the refurbishment, the complex includes enhanced public facilities such as an inviting lobby, a concession area, and upgraded restrooms, significantly improving the spectator experience during events.
• Specialized Training Areas: The refurbishment included the addition of a new practice gym and a dedicated wrestling room, providing specialized spaces that allow the school's athletic programs to train and compete at a high level.
• Community Gathering Space: Beyond sports, the facility, including spaces like the Hall of Fame Room, often serves as a venue for large-scale school and community gatherings, meetings, and banquets.

Features / Highlights

The McCarthy Gymnasium is known throughout Oklahoma City for several key features that highlight its reputation as a premier athletic complex, even within a high school setting.

• Large Complex of Facilities: It is widely regarded as a "large complex," incorporating not just the main gymnasium but a suite of supporting rooms and facilities like a new practice gym and the dedicated wrestling room.
• Basketball Court: The core amenity is a high-quality Basketball court, which is the site of many of the school's major competitive events, embodying the "Irish green" spirit of the teams.
• Expanded Seating Capacity: A major highlight of the refurbishment was the expansion of seating, allowing the gym to accommodate large crowds, a necessary feature for hosting major tournaments and drawing strong support for high school athletics.
• Refurbished Modern Facilities: The 2008 renovation ensured the gymnasium and its surrounding areas—including the lobby and concession areas—were brought up to modern standards, offering a better experience for both athletes and spectators.
• Hall of Fame Room: The inclusion of a Hall of Fame Room emphasizes the school’s deep athletic tradition and provides a dedicated space to honor past achievements, connecting current students and the community to the school’s rich history.
• High Accessibility Standards: The provision of a Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom confirms the facility's commitment to being welcoming and usable by everyone in the Oklahoma community.

Contact Information

For more detailed information regarding the McCarthy Gymnasium, including its schedule, use for tournaments, or general inquiries about the athletic programs it supports, interested parties in the Oklahoma City area should contact the main administrative office of the affiliated institution.

Address: 801 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, USA

What is Worth Choosing

For Oklahoma City residents, the McCarthy Gymnasium is a standout choice when considering a venue for large-scale athletic tournaments, high-level high school sports, or community events requiring extensive facilities. What is truly worth choosing about this location is the convergence of a deep, competitive tradition with modern, highly functional facilities.

While not a public fitness center in the traditional sense, its reputation as a "large complex" makes it an excellent, central location for regional events. The investment in refurbishing and expanding the facility, including the new practice gym and expanded spectator seating, ensures that the venue can handle significant capacity while still providing necessary comfort and amenities. The dedication to accessibility—with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and restroom—is a critical factor that makes it a responsible and inclusive choice for events drawing diverse attendees from across Oklahoma. Although a few reviewers have noted issues with things like seating comfort during peak events, the general consensus points to an awesome facility that embodies a strong community spirit. For organizations or families involved in high school sports, or those seeking a reputable venue in OKC with a large Basketball court and excellent supportive facilities, the McCarthy Gymnasium represents a long-standing tradition of athletic excellence and modern venue capability.

McCarthy Gymnasium

801 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, USA