"The Wigwam," the 9,000-seat high school gym in Anderson, Ind., may have played host to its final game this season. (Photo by The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.)

CNHI News Service

ANDERSON, Ind. – One of the iconic homes of Indiana High School basketball may soon find itself on the auction block.

“The Wigwam,” which opened in 1961 and had a capacity reaching 9,000 – the second biggest high school gymnasium in the country, has become too expensive for the Anderson school system to operate.

This week the school board voted 6-1 to close the famed sports arena, a move the financially strapped school system said would save $550,000.

Long-time Anderson coach Ron Hecklinski told an Indianapolis radio station Wednesday he’s ready to fight to save “The Wigwam,” which got its name from an Indian tribe that settled in the area.

“I’m chaining myself to the front doors,” Hecklinski said, half-jokingly. “I’ve found the chains already, and I’m chaining myself to the front door.”

School officials said "The Wigwam" would be closed at the end of the academic year.

Details for this story were provided by The Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Ind.