Is SCH going back to the future? In a major multi-stage renovation project, SCH is stripping away 1970s-era additions to reveal the 1880s charm of the Inn’s original architecture. But, the project is more than just aesthetics; it’s an infrastructure change. By consolidating training rooms, doubling down on parity, and utilizing a multi-million dollar fundraising effort to revitalize the Quad and pathways to the Rec, SCH is ensuring its historic campus meets the high performance demands of the 21st-century.
Stage One: Upgrading Training spaces and Locker Rooms
Phase one of the project was completed in 2023. The primary goal was to create a more functional athletic training environment. Previously, the athletic training staff operated out of separated rooms, which made it difficult to monitor student-athletes effectively.
“We wanted a functional rehab area,” says Norma Wingate, SCH’s head athletic trainer. “All of our rooms were separated. We had an office in the wet room, and then we had our training room, but we couldn’t keep an eye on an athlete if we wanted to do functional rehab or strengthening.”
The renovation consolidated these spaces into a main training room. The transition took place in the late spring of 2023, with the help of SCH student interns who assisted in moving and setting up the equipment. Maria Morrison, is a full-time trainer at SCH. “She was a graduate intern from Jefferson, and she’s been here now six years,” Wingate noted.
The new layout also prioritizes parity between boys’ and girls’ facilities. Maggie Mutch explained that currently, the girls’ locker rooms are tiny compared to the boys’ locker rooms. The updated plan features a girls’ locker room that is equal in size to the boys’ locker room. Additionally, the school added the “Aversa Team Room,” named after Ed Aversa, who retired last year. This room provides a meeting and storage space for larger teams, alongside a central visitors’ locker room.
Stage Two: Restoring the 1880s Facade
The second stage of the plan focuses on the exterior of the building. The current facade was added in the 1970s and includes a “trellis screen” and a fire escape door that is considered too small and visually unappealing for the 500 students going through daily.
SCH is working with the architectural firm Wallace Roberts and Todd (WRT) to restore the building’s appearance to its 1880s design. This involves extending the porch and widening the steps, and using blue stone materials similar to the exchange’s entrance to further restore the building’s old vibe.
“This is what it looked like in the 1880s, so we’re trying to go back to more of that feel,” says Director of Development Kristin Norton. A major functional change involves the doors. To improve traffic flow, the window near Mr. Norcini’s office will be turned into a second door, allowing for separate “in” and “out” doors. The new porch will also serve as a space for students to utilize and enjoy.
Stage Three: Redesigning the Quad and Student Spaces
Stage three involves the exterior courtyard, known as the Quad. The administration met with a group of students, totalling about ten students, to gather feedback on how the outer space should be utilized.
Students expressed a need for shade, solid tables, and a place to interact. “There are slotted tables outside, so it’s hard to do work out there,” Mutch explains. The new plan incorporates solid seating surfaces and stone walls, similar to those outside the Rorer Science Building, which can be used for studying or just hanging out. The Quad is also being designed to be large enough to accommodate tents for various social gatherings.
To improve the look of the quad, SCH plans to remove the hut that is used to house the ceramics kiln. The kiln itself won’t move, but a new stone wall will be built to hide the dumpsters and create a private service area.
Grants and Infrastructure at the Rec
Beyond the Commons building itself, a recently acquired grant will address stormwater management issues as well as fund improvements to the pathway leading down to the Rec. This area, suffering from years of neglect and deterioration, currently lacks sidewalks, curbs, and a parking lot.
The planned improvements include:
Rain Gardens: Two rain gardens will be installed to manage water runoff.
New Sidewalks: A real sidewalk and proper curbs will tie the Jordan Building area to the rec.
Drop-off Access: A new pull-in lane will be created at the Rec so that parents can drop students off and then safely back out and turn around.
Lighting: The entire area will be better lit for safety and overall accessibility.
As of now, there are just five parking spots at the Rec (which is not enough), and they are reserved for handicap folks. These upgrades aim to make the walk from the main parking areas to the Rec easier for people attending performances.
Fundraising and a Timeline
The campaign for the Commons is a multi-million dollar effort. Redoing the Inn is estimated at $1.3 million, and the quad renovation is approximately $1.5 million. Total renovations for the lower level are estimated at $3 million.
“We tend to do things in smaller nuggets,” says Mutch. “It’s just more palpable to our community.” In addition to a $750,000 grant from the William B. Dietrich Foundation designated for the Inn renovations, SCH has already raised $500,000 for the outdoor space, with significant support from the Parents Association as they plan to raise another $500,000 to support the Commons quad through their Parent Association Event “Down and Derby” this year..
SCH ideally hopes to begin the outdoor portion of the project this spring. According to Norton, the construction will not prevent students from using the building, as other entrances, such as those by the art gallery or at the front of the exchange, will remain open. “Everyone’s willing to say, ‘We’ll do whatever it takes’ in order to see the project through,” Norton concludes.
