WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Thetford Academy Gets an Upgrade

Thetford Academy Gets an Upgrade

Thetford, Vermont - September 11, 2009

For the next year, Thetford Academy will be under construction. A new gymnasium is being built and the Academy is renovating the old one to improve the cafeteria that is currently housed in the basement. To make up for the loss of athletics fields caused by that project, the school boasts a brand new soccer field out back.

"The bigger the school is the more people it is going to bring in and then it is something you can actually say, hey, I'm from Thetford," said Joe Fields, a sophomore.

Temporary trailers have been turned into classrooms because the science building has been gutted to prepare for its new look.

"We go from a situation of having four classrooms, some of which was shared for cross purposes, to now being able to offer our entire science department individual classrooms, larger classroom space and certainly upgraded and much safer facilities," said David McGinn of Thetford Academy.

The science building used to double as a drama room housing a theatre called the "Shark Tank." A new theatre will be built in the old gym but some seniors-- who will not be around to experience the new digs-- already remember the way things used to be.

"It would be really nice to have a new theatre but at the same time, even though performing in the Shark Tank had its challenges, it will be a little sad to see it go because it was so fun. It's a piece of Thetford Academy," said Caileigh Bryant, a senior.

The entire $8 million renovation project is scheduled to be complete by the start of next school year. When that happens, students say the Academy will have a new look they can be proud, turning the chapter of a new page in the school's history.

Adam Sullivan - WCAX News