Pillow Academy’s gymnasium and cafeteria are undergoing extensive renovations that will breathe new life into each facility.
“We’re excited that we are right on schedule,” said Head of School Barrett Donahoe.
What started as an idea to only expand gym seating became a larger project that included the cafeteria.
“Every one of our students goes in the cafeteria for food service, and it is a vital part of what we do here on campus,” Donahoe said. “That facility getting the upgrade that’s needed is just as important as the expansion of the gymnasium.”
The cafeteria renovations are scheduled to be completed Aug. 1. The floor tiling is being ripped out.
The gymnasium, on schedule to be finished on Nov. 1, is unrecognizable at this time, looking more like a building under construction.
“It’s getting a facelift on the interior, but we’re also expanding to the west side,” Donahoe said. “We have knocked out the existing west wall that borders the band hall. We’re adding new concrete bleachers, a concrete stadium-style structure on that end to completely horseshoe our facility with bleachers. The north, south and the west end will all have seating.”
The home-side seating will move from the north side to the south side, behind the Pillow Academy bench.
A new scoreboard will be installed. The basketball court is being re-designed, and as renovations continue, old wood panels on the walls will be replaced with concrete, new insulation will be installed and the finished walls will be painted.
The foyer between the cafeteria and the gym will be enclosed, creating a new gym entrance. Concession stands and bathrooms will be installed in that new section.
The project is funded through Pillow’s Knowledge, Wisdom and Service capital campaign, a fundraising effort to raise $3.4 million.
Donahoe said the school is within $600,000 of reaching its goal. “Our people have been tremendous through this process,” he said. “We have so many people who are so invested in Pillow Academy and you can’t say enough about the spirit of Pillow Academy when it comes to giving and trying to provide our students (and) our student-athletes with the best facilities possible.”
- Contact Kevin Edwards at 662-581-7233 or kedwards@gwcommonwealth.com.
