Potomac School Breaks Ground On Athletics and Community Center

MCLEAN, VA—The new school year at The Potomac School kicked off Friday, Sept. 7 with a groundbreaking for a new facility, the Center for Athletics and Community.

Preparations for the construction site began in July, but the school community celebrated the milestone together during the traditional outdoor opening assembly. The school mascot, the Potomac Panther, was on hand during the groundbreaking festivities.

"This new building is for the benefit of our students, and we want them to be informed and excited about it," said Head of School John Kowalik. "So we decided to hold our groundbreaking at a time and place where the students could be part of the fun."

The 76,500-square-foot Center for Athletics and Community will include a gymnasium with a competition basketball court and three practice courts, an indoor jogging track, seven squash courts; a weight room, a cardio room, multipurpose activity room and flexible gathering spaces. The facility aims to support the school's 26-sport athletic program and provide space for schoolwide gatherings.

Kowalik said the current athletic facilities had negatively impacted scheduling for both academic and athletic programs.

"With 1,050 students plus faculty and staff—and, for some events, parents—we do not have an interior space large enough to accommodate everyone," he said. "We can hold certain events outdoors; but when the weather fails to cooperate, we have to move into our current gym and decide whom to exclude. Not a happy
decision – and one that we will no longer have to face when the new center comes on line."

Designed by CannonDesign, the center's construction is being led by Coakley & Williams Construction. The facility could be completed in late fall 2019.

For more information, visit www.potomacschool.org.

Images courtesy Potomac School