AFA New Building Project Update: From Vision to Reality
Whether you’ve had an opportunity to view the physical changes on campus with your own eyes or not, we are excited to share with everyone in the Farragut Family the immense transformation underway. We also would like to take you on an aerial tour of the vision that is now becoming reality. The Admiral Farragut Academy Performing Arts Multipurpose Building construction project is moving along according to plan and is on pace to transform the footprint of our campus and the lives of our students, benefiting AFA for generations to come.
Drone footage provided by 8th Grade student Robert Heiss
Construction Update:
Extensive work has been completed including invisible, yet important, upgrades to drainage systems along Park Street and Fifth Avenue. The contractor is currently blocking up the walls bringing the highly anticipated structure of this building into clear view. According to AFA Headmaster, Robert J. Fine, Jr., “As the walls go up, we will have our first look at this majestic space in progress, and will get a better sense of the impact it will produce.” The contractor will be erecting a crane around the middle of June for the steel framework.
As an added safety measure, the fire marshall allowed us to add a new fire loop and several additional hydrants at considerable cost, but an improvement that will make our campus safer.
Among the first tangible benefits to students, faculty, families, donors and visitors will be the improved and expanded parking area and driveway. The drop-off loops will be ready for the next academic year, and steady progress will continue to be made over the summer. We invite you to share our excitement and tell others about the progress that is being made to reimagine our campus.
Capital Campaign Update:
On the fundraising front, we are nearing completion of The New Building Campaign with more than 90% of the $4 million goal committed. This extraordinary accomplishment would not have been possible without friends like you, donors large and small, coming together to contribute to this effort. Additionally, a re-energized Alumni Program and Lower School Parents effort have bolstered our efforts. Case in point, Raey Webster ’59, who hopes his gift will motivate his classmates and others to join the effort, said, “Admiral Farragut Academy is part of who I am and helped make me who I am today. I’m happy to give back by supporting this critically important project.” That said, our work is not done and fundraising continues.
There are still prominent naming opportunities available for you to consider. For more information, contact AFA Chief Development Officer, Tony Sloan, at 813-416-7202 or tsloan@farragut.org.
