CHULA —
Although the weather was cold and the sky was cloudy Wednesday afternoon, many supportive locals, along with members of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, attended Tiftarea Academy’s groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new 1,000 seat gymnasium.
According to Tiftarea Academy, the groundbreaking ceremony represents an important milestone in the school’s capital campaign, “Expanding Our Commitment to Excellence”, which began two years ago. A goal of $1 million in funds raised or committed to the campaign has been reached, and construction has officially begun, which will be done by Jones Construction Company of Tifton.
The construction of a new gymnasium represents the first phase of the school’s capital campaign. The renovation of the current gymnasium and the addition of six high school classrooms and laboratory space will begin at the end of this school year. Both projects are expected to be completed by the start of the 2013-2014 school year.
Plans for the new gymnasium expand beyond basketball. Tiftarea Academy plans to host region and state-wide events in the 1,000 seat gymnasium. School functions that are normally crowded in the current gymnasium or held off campus could be hosted in the new gymnasium.
Fundraising continues, and there will be future giving opportunities, including name recognition and legacy gifts.
During the ceremony, those who donated to the project were thanked, and many appeared excited about Tiftarea’s future.
Headmaster Diane Womack told the crowd, “This has been a long time coming.”
Thrilled, she read an essay written by Tiftarea student Trent Hobbs. Hobbs wrote the essay last year in his English class on the history of Tiftarea Academy.
Womack stated that the part she “loved so much” was when Hobbs said in his essay that in 1970, Tiftarea Academy was born. The new gymnasium will be the largest expansion since the original construction of the school.
Since 1970, Tiftarea has grown from having 240 students and only 20 teachers to currently having 670 students and approximately 60 faculty members, Womack said. She noted that in the mid-1990s, they had a change in administration.
She stated that through all of the struggles, the school has managed to expand, and she’s hoping they will continue to grow with the goal of having 800 students enrolled at Tiftarea.
Pausing, Womack emotionally stated, “People involved in this school were committed and determined that Tiftarea Academy would make it, and we did.”
She added that she hopes some things never change, such as Tiftarea always providing a Christian-learning environment and always being committed to excellence.
Tiftarea board member Glenn Willis, who is also the campaign director, commented that the new gymnasium will enhance the physical education program as well. He noted that this project really started back in 2009 with past administration and other board members.
Following the ceremony, Tiftarea board members and others with Jones Construction Company grabbed a shovel to officially break ground for construction of the new gymnasium, which will be located on the Tiftarea Academy campus.
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
Local News
Related Photos
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Tiftarea board members and others with Jones Construction Company of Tifton break ground on a cold and cloudy Wednesday afternoon at Tiftarea Academy for the construction of a new 1,000 seat gymnasium. Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette
Tiftarea Academy holds gym groundbreaking
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