HEBRON – Hebron Academy plans to build a $12 million athletic center by fall 2008 and the designer is an alumnus of the private school.

“One of the primary needs for us was a need for more recreational space for our students,” said John King, head of school.

The old sports complex, built in 1926, will be renovated into an arts center.

In August 2002, the school designed a campus master plan that included a new athletic center on land behind the school’s student center near the Robinson Ice Arena next to Route 119. The first floor will consist of a playing court that can be divided into two or even three separate areas for basketball, tennis or soccer.

The second floor will be a running track that circles the main court below and has a view of it.

Other features will include new locker rooms, a fitness center with weight-lifting equipment and a climbing wall.

“In the fall, football and soccer teams might have issues with rain or snow,” King said.

With the addition of the new center, there will be a space, on a shared basis, for those teams to hold practice indoors.

The building was designed by SMRT Architecture of Portland. Head architect Lynne Holler is an alumnus of Hebron Academy. Construction of the building is being managed by Warren Construction Group of Topsham.

The 54,000-square-foot center, along with a new athletic field, will be built near student dorms and set slightly into a hillside.

The old sports complex will not be altered externally, but the interior will be remodeled into the Lepage Art Center. The pool area will be converted into a music room, and the fitness center will be converted into a sculpture and pottery studio.

Ultimately, the new sports center is one that King hopes will benefit the students and the community.

“The most obvious priority for us was to give to those kids who, on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon, or any time during their Saturday, are looking for activity.”