LEWISTSON — ACADIA Academy, a new charter school, had just finished its first full year of programming when Dolard and Priscilla Gendron visited staff in July and presented a check for $50,000 to finish the gym. A ribbon-cutting for the building, to be named the Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Gymnasium, is anticipated by Dec. 1.
When the academy opened its doors on Sept. 6, 2016, it did not include a gym for the 132 students in grades prekindergarten through second grade. As the weather grew cold last fall, the director and board recognized the need for a gym and local contractor Gerry Morin and crew began construction.
The building soon grew not only to provide an indoor recess option, but also to be a space for classrooms to do group building activities, and hold large group events and monthly assemblies. However, while the area provided a warm, indoor area for such activity, the staff had more hope for the space.
How to acquire these dreams became the question of staff meetings and PTO meetings. Director Julie Colello was asked if a donation to finish the gym would be helpful and the Gendrons came forward.
The funding will take the gym from its raw state to include a heating and air conditioning system, mounted basketball hoops, mounted wall safety padding, movable bleacher sets, a vinyl wood plank floor and cabinetry for storage of equipment.
Dolard and Priscilla Gendron have presented ACADIA Academy a donation to complete a gymnasium.
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