Around the POND Athletics Complex
Work on a major project in the Donald F. McCullough ’42 Athletic Center is expected to wrap soon, dramatically improving the user experience in the a large, multipurpose space. McCullough is a hub of activity—on any given afternoon, groups might be shooting hoops, playing wall ball, throwing pitches, or kicking a soccer ball in the cavernous gymnasium. Once the project is complete, that space can be seg-
hoops themselves will be digitally controlled using the same system.
Other Projects
The replacement of the Main Circle sidewalk with a heated bluestone walkway; the addition of two new Suburbans to the transportation fleet; technology upgrades, including updated Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art telephone system; and in Bingham, a new sound system and cover
for the orchestra pit round out the summer projects on campus. “The summer break is our annual 12-week, major project window,” says Thornfeldt. “The amount of work we do in advance ensures the timely completion of the work. The planning team—including the headmaster, trustees, our architect, staff, and valued vendors who know the Taft campus—has proven to be the right formula for success.” j
New faculty apartment in HDT.
mented with the push of a button. “A drop-down netting system is being installed in the ceiling,” says Shepard. “It can be raised and lowered using an iPad or mounted wall panel. The netting will function like a soft wall dividing the space into secure practice areas.” The netting can isolate large playing areas, such as those around the basketball hoops, or smaller, specific use spaces, including pitching and batting tunnels with portable mounds. The basketball