09/01/09 Penny Loyd Student Life Center: Now Open!
After decades of need...years of planning...and months of construction...we opened the doors of the new Penny Loyd Student Life Center, an educational and recreational facility that will integrate all of our children's after-school activities under one roof!
The Student Life Center replaces our 30-year-old gym -- which leaked for years, and finally had to be shut down in late 2008.
The Old Gym
In the old gym, holes in the roof meant puddles inside every time it rained!
Left: The external structure of the old gym was damaged over three decades of wear and tear...and Hurricane Ike brought more damage -- and dangerous mold -- to the interior (right). The building was shut down in December 2008 out of concerns for the health and well-being of students and staff.
Introducing the Penny Loyd Student Life Center!
Because of the generous contributions of many friends in the community, we were able to finally replace the old gym with the Penny Loyd Student Life Center.
The Penny Loyd Student Life Center is situated at the center of campus, for equal access by all children, and is adjacent to The Backyard Pool that was completed in 2007.
The Student Life Center is named for Penny Loyd, a longtime board member and friend of our Home who has always served our children with love and dedication. Penny and her husband Paul officially opened the Student Life Center at our ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-August.
Mike Gatewood, Chair of the Board of Directors, tells us the story of Paul's wish to honor Penny for her outstanding service to our children by naming the Student Life Center for her.
Big scissors for a big moment!
(Construction) hats off to our architect, Russell Clark!
We would like to thank Russell and all of our friends who worked with our Director of Operations, Quintes Stark, to turn our dreams and plans into this amazing new building that will provide our children with the after-school programs they need to succeed, including:
Brookstone, our construction company, with special thanks to John Carson, Ken Charba, Chuck Mathes, and Jeremy Stoval
Pieper-Houston Electric L.P., with special thanks to Fred Cataldo, Bud Walters, and Adam Walker
Electrical Tech Services, Inc. (ETS), with special thanks to Chad Walters
Robert Kneppler, Jr., Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, expresses a few words of gratitude for all who made the construction of the Student Life Center possible...and shares more about remaining projects that must still be completed as part of the capital campaign. Mr. Lou and Mike look on, along with Haymanot, co-chair of the Normative Leadership Council, who offered a closing prayer.
Students in the Normative Leadership Council were on hand to provide tours. Here, they test out the special lounge area designated for members of the council...who, through their positive efforts and leadership, have earned a place to hang out!
Class of 2001 graduate Jerome -- now a certified paramedic -- came home to visit, and to check out the new Student Life Center. Jerome remarked, "So now you can play basketball in the gym even if it's raining!" He remembered the days of the old gym, when rain outside meant puddles, mops, buckets, and towels inside because of the holes in the roof! Above, Jerome visited the new Education Center, complete with a library, multimedia center, and tutoring rooms.
At play in the new gym. Since the Student Life Center opened, we have more students playing in the gym every day after school than ever before!
Everyone grab a basketball! Jacob, Michael, and Harley shoot some hoops...while Mr. Henry tries to stay out of the way!
Frank shows Harley and Michael how to do a slam dunk!
Haley tests out the hoop at the other side of the gym.
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