photo by Greg Davick
Silverdale Baptist Academy’s first graduation class in 2000 was made up of three graduates.
Things have certainly changed since then at the Bonny Oaks school, especially when it comes to athletic facilities.
After 61 seniors walk across the stage this year, they will be able to walk outside and find an athletic complex that will eventually become one of the city’s best.
Silverdale Headmaster Becky Hansard’s school was recently awarded the status of an Exemplary School by the Association of Christian Schools International. Hansard says Silverdale Baptist is the fastest growing Christian school in the county, and that the school’s facilities have reached their maximum potential. Currenly, 962 students are enrolled in pre-K through 12.
Consequently, a wooded area next to the school has been turned into an athletic complex, with plans on the board to construct a high school building and student activities (fine arts) building.
Phase 4 of the expansion was recently completed and a celebration was held before the school’s first home football game. Dignitaries on hand included Volkswagen executive Dominique Kuenzel, county sheriff Jim Hammond and commissioners Larry Henry, Bill Hullender and Warren Mackey.
“This community is so excited,’’ Hansard said. “We had 4,700 folks here last week for the game. This expansion has created so much excitement.’’
Construction crews are putting the final touches on the football field, the baseball field, the softball field, and the construction of roads and the parking lots. Plans are in place to complete the construction on the tennis courts, field houses, press boxes and pavilion areas.
“All of this has truly been in God’s hand,’’ Hansard said. “Not one time have we needed something that someone hasn’t donated it. This has been incredible. It has amazed me.’’
Phases 5 and 6 will include the high school building and the student activities building. The high school building will include 20 modern classrooms for 450 students, a state-of-the-art Science lab, an updated computer lab and school administrative offices. The student activities building will include a recital hall, art studio, band room, 1,000-seat gymnasium and theatre and weight room.
An enclosed breezeway will be constructed to allow access from the current building to the new facilties. The cost for the final two phases of the project is estimated at $8.25 million.
“Becky has put people in the right positions,’’ said Lebron Sterchi, the school’s educational consultant. “She has allowed the Lord to guide us and put everything in place. The Lord is the author of all this.
“We want quality in our facilities, and we’re very pleased with our progress so far.’’
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)
photo by Greg Davick