The present gymnasium and a projected rendering of HUTTON’s efforts
HUTTON, a Chattanooga-based commercial real estate, development and construction company, has committed to helping remodel a facility for Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy. A Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 13, to launch the renovation of CGLA’s gymnasium located at 1802 Vance Ave.
“The girls will have a functional and attractive gymnasium that they can be proud of, a place to hold school-wide events and a home for their winning sports programs,” said CGLA Executive Director Dr. Elaine Swafford. “It will also provide space to hold credited health and physical Education courses, which we desperately need as we are outgrowing our present building space.”
“HUTTON has the distinct pleasure of joining CGLA in a relationship that HUTTON considers one of its most significant community partnerships,” said CEO and Owner Karen J. Hutton who said she is passionate about the success of CGLA, inspired by Dr. Swafford’s successful business model of education and truly cares about the well-being of the 326 girls that attend CGLA. “The entire HUTTON Team toured the school, witnessed the excitement in the hallways, heard the success stories of the girls and observed the immediate physical needs of the school. This firsthand experience sealed the deal.”
HUTTON officials said they are now committed to CGLA’s Corporate Mentoring Program, involved in the Backpack for Success Program, supporting the school’s newly launched Endowment Campaign and making a financial commitment to remodel the school’s gymnasium.
"CGLA is an inner-city, all-girl, public charter STEM School that was on the brink of closure. In 18 months, it made a turnaround and has been named a Tennessee Reward School for two consecutive years," school officials said.
Approximately three years ago, CGLA acquired the old Tennessee Temple High School Gymnasium on Vance Avenue in the Highland Park Neighborhood, as an addition to the main campus of the school. Due to its present condition, the gym has not met State regulatory codes and not been utilized to its fullest potential during these three years, officials said.
HUTTON decided that this was a great place to make an immediate impact for CGLA and the Highland Park Avenue community. Gym priorities include new bleachers, a new HVAC system, a new roof and the addition of ADA-approved restroom facilities. "However, further financial donations are much needed to insure that the gym remodel meets the future needs of the school," officials said.
While HUTTON’s Philanthropic Liaison Donna Coleman, is working to raise funds for the project, HUTTON’s construction arm, led by Trey Hall, director of Construction, is working with local vendors to negotiate gifts and in-kind donations to the project. HUTTON’s Development Project Manager Reggie Vachon is coordinating the scope of the plan, budgeting, permitting and working closely with Rice Williams, a lead architect from the local design firm, Artech, who is donating his skills and time to this project.
The remodel is to be completed by August 1.
HUTTON has successfully raised $350,000 with an additional $250,000 needed to complete the project. "If you would like to join HUTTON and help CGLA complete this project with school and program growth in mind, please make a TAX deductible donation to CGLA and indicate 'Gym Renovation,'"officials said. "There are multiple naming opportunities, internally and externally at the gymnasium."
For more information about the needs of CGLA, contact Donna Coleman at dcoleman@hutton.build.