Foundation Academy celebrates opening of new gym with ribbon-cutting ceremony

The Foundation Academy opened its new gym with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Screenshot from: Foundation Academy Facebook page)

Foundation Academy opened its Kelly Family Athletic Annex and the Lumpkins Family Strength and Conditioning Center on Friday, Oct. 8. The celebration kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Tilden Campus. 

Vital Role for School's Athletic Program

According to Orange Observer, several students, faculty, and staff attended the event. 

President Dave Buckles welcomed the guests to the ceremony. He said that the new annex would play a vital role in the school's athletic program. 

Buckles added that student-athletes would use the new annex as a strength and conditioning center. 

Tim Grosshans, a senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Winter Garden, officiated the blessing for the school, the students, and families. He also prayed for all those who made the construction of the new annex possible. 

Importance of Christian Education 

As reported, the Kelley and Lumpkins family donated the athletic annex to the Christian school. Both families cut the ribbon during the ceremony. 

Chip Lumpkins, the family's patriarch, said that the older generation valued the school and Christian education. He shared that the entire family had a passion for the school. 

Lumpkins told the attendees that he and his wife, Luanne realized the value of a good education early on in life. He explained that it was a crucial part of parenting. 

He added that as parents, they could only get one chance to educate their children. The grandchildren also read passages from Scripture to dedicate the space. 

Chris Sharp gave the remarks on behalf of the Kelley family. He said that his late father-in-law, Ken Kelley, left a legacy rooted in Christ. 

Sharp told attendees they dedicated the new space in memory of Kelley. Chip and his son, Stephen, also gave remarks on behalf of their family.

Other guests who attended the event were Mayor of Winter Garden John Rees and Vice President of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Krista Carter.

Attendees toured the new athletic annex after the blessing. 

Expansion Projects

In a report with West Orange Times, the Christian private school celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its Tilden Campus expansion project in 2020. 

In the same year, the Winter Garden City Commission approved the school's master site plan. 

As reported, the school plans to expand another 105,000 square feet in the second phase of its school buildout plan. These plans would include a maintenance building, a cafeteria, and additions to existing buildings.

Buckles said that the 67-acre campus serves about 450 students. 

He added that two years ago, he and the school heads began to see the growth in their institution. Buckles said that the extra space would allow them to provide a Christ-centered education to enable the students to thrive. 

Buckles told the news outlet that he entered the school at a time when the recession ended. He did what he could to take advantage of the economy's rebound. 

He stressed that he was passionate about seeing the children become part of the Foundation Academy culture. The expansion projects culminated in many years of hard work to fulfill the school's dream to become a leading institution. 

Once completed, Foundation Academy will be able to accommodate another 150 students, according to the report. 

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