26  |  TSPMA MAGAZINE  |  FALL 2026
iconic status in the Kingsport 
community, intentional design attention 
was given to maintaining the facility’s 
historical appearance while updating and 
modernizing the space for current and 
future generations of Dobyns-Bennett 
students and supporters. Multiple 
plan options were developed, with the 
selected plan being a highly-innovative 
Buck Van Huss Dome Renovation, continued
support system that would place steel 
I-beams directly under the existing 
wood members. Such a system not only 
provided a high level of long-term load 
carrying capacity for the new roof, but 
would mirror the physical appearance of 
the existing ceiling structure.
Due to the fact that the gymnasium 
was going to be closed in order to 
address the issues with the roof 
structure, KCS and City of Kingsport 
leadership decided to also address 
several other necessary facility updates, 
including the complete renovation to the 
Buck Van Huss Dome and surrounding 
spaces. Spaces renovated included the 
Dome gymnasium area, the Dome front 
and rear lobbies, the school’s activities 

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