Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 4

FOR THE WIN
Capital Campaign Overview
W
ith a goal of $3 million, we need YOU
to help us build the future of Th ornton
Academy! TOGETHER we can ring
the victory bell and continue our long tradition of
excellence.
Over the last decade, Th ornton Academy has grown
to become one of the largest and most comprehensive
schools in Maine.
By pursuing a long-range, forward-thinking campus
master plan, Th ornton Academy has succeeded
in accomplishing ambitious programmatic goals.
Off ering 24 AP courses, 7 foreign languages, courses
in web design, concert choir and photography, there
is something for everyone at Th ornton Academy. In
recent years the Board of Trustees updated and moved
the library, built a technology and media center, dance
studio, and cutting-edge science labs to ensure that our
facilities can support our growing student population
and diverse academic off erings.
Having met the infrastructure needs of the academic
and arts curriculum, the Board is now focused on the
remaining phase of the Master Plan: the renovation
of Linnell Gymnasium and the construction of a fi eld
house.
Th is capital project will allow us to address the
competitive and recreational needs of both Th ornton
Academy students and the greater Saco Community.
Linnell Gymnasium, built as a state-of-the-art facility
over fi ft y years ago, can no longer successfully support
the school’s ever-increasing athletic demands. Built
in 1963 for a student population of 650, the gym
now serves approximately 1,650 students. Th e fl oor
is worn and the mechanical systems are antiquated
and ineffi cient. Th e building does not meet modern
accessibility and safety standards. It lacks adequate
space for weight training, strength and conditioning
facilities, locker rooms, coaches’ offi ces and equipment
storage. It can no longer accommodate the entire
student body for events, assemblies and ceremonies.
Th e lack of space forces athletic teams to practice well
beyond traditional aft er-school hours and prohibits
the school from off ering an intramural program or
providing recreational space for a broader range of
students. Given Th ornton’s goal of off ering an athletic
program broad enough to allow all interested students
to participate in sports, the school’s athletic facilities
must be renovated and expanded.
“I grew up attending and playing high school
basketball games at TA’s Linnell Gymnasium where so
many great TA athletes have competed. Th e tradition
of athletics at TA remains strong and vibrant. It’s now
time to renovate Linnell Gymnasium and add a fi eld
4 Story by Haley Thompson · Photos Courtesy of PDT Archichects