See it Through: Capital Projects

from Colorado Academy Journal - Fall 2018

In Memoriam

See it Through: Capital Projects Soon to be Narrowed to One

And then there was one. Over the past 20 years, Colorado Academy has worked to rebuild or upgrade every educational building on the school’s campus, and now the school and Board leadership report that the final projects are in sight. The current See it Through campaign was designed to fund the renovation of some of the most frequently-used structures on campus. Already completed are the new Ponzio Arts Center, the renovated Welborn House, and Phase I of the Athletic Center. Phase II of the Athletic Center, including new climbing, fitness, and training centers, a new practice gym, and a refurbished and expanded competition gym, will open in early 2019, with fundraising for the project nearing its final stages. The last project remaining as part of the campaign is CA’s Performing Arts Center.

The time is now

The current Froelicher Theatre, the tall brick back side of which overlooks CA’s Firman Field, was built in 1977. For a frame of reference, that was the same year that the first Star Wars opened in cinemas, the year that Elvis Presley died of a heart attack, and the year that the first Apple II computers went on sale. More than four decades later, theater and music programming, technology, and the size of the student body have all rendered the current structure obsolete. Head of School Dr. Mike Davis says, “Like the other buildings that have been part of this campaign, the theater is one of the most public spaces on our campus, where students, parents, and alumni gather, where kids learn to be both audience members and performers, and where we often join to learn together as a community. People will often say to me, ‘I can’t believe CA hasn’t built a new theater yet.’”

Inspire creativity

The school’s signature and outstanding arts education program has, in recent years, been transformed by the addition and expansion of a dance program, a theater conservatory, and courses such as “Performance Innovations,” “Acting and Scene Study,”

Colorado Academy Capital Improvements

Over the last 20+ years, almost every building on Colorado Academy’s campus has been updated, remodeled, or rebuilt, thanks to the generosity of the CA community. 2019 Phase II of Athletic Center to open 2018 Phase I of Athletic Center opened 2017 Welborn House remodeled 2017 Ponzio Arts Center opened 2013 Upper School Building opened 2005 Schotters Music Building opened 2005 Campus Center & Dining Hall opened 2003 Chowdry Middle School opened 2000 Smith Center Administrative Building opened 1997 Lower School wing added/remodeled 1997 Raether Library opened

Athletic Center Phase II, October 2018— on schedule to open in early 2019

“Children’s Theater Production and Outreach,” “Theater Practicum,” and “Directing.” The school needs a new structure to provide an appropriate and inspiring venue for classes, theatrical productions, concerts, and recitals that showcase the school’s highly successful performing arts and music programs and for an improved setting for CA gatherings. A new home

As with the other three structures that were part of the See it Through campaign, Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects has designed the Performing Arts Center—a new 18,000 square-foot structure with adequate performance and seating space, improved accessibility, effective heating and cooling, upgraded digital sound, lighting, and video equipment, and additional teaching and performance space. Whether it is a musical or a play, a chamber or jazz concert or an instrumental recital, a dance performance or choir concert, a student-run town hall meeting or a presentation by a guest speaker, the new building will accommodate all varieties of productions. The finale

CA is calling the final stage of the campaign the “Finale for the Performing Arts Center.” As with previous capital projects, the school is asking for the support of CA’s extended community to make the new home for performing arts a reality. Funding and naming opportunities are available, and the project is contingent upon financial backing for construction and associated endowment costs. You are invited to be a part of the Finale and help see it through! For more information or to make a gift to the campaign, contact Colorado Academy’s Advancement Office. n

Capital Campaign Committee 2017-2018

Guy Arnold John Burstein ‘89 John Ege Dickson Griswold Leslie Howard David Jones ‘95 Tom Jorden Mariner Kemper Bryan Leach Brooke Maloy ‘90 Tate McCoy Paul McPheeters Craig Ponzio Min Sohn