New Covenant Academy to break ground on expansion

New Covenant Academy is scheduled to break ground Monday on a first set of planned expansions for the private Christian school.

General contractor Federal Construction Inc. will work to complete a driveway extension, park addition and a playground, while Stacey Hammit of Carnahan-White Inc. will spearhead efforts to build a baseball field. Work on the playground and road changes is expected to wrap up by the beginning of the school year in August, with the baseball field to follow in the spring, said Glenda Scott, development director for the school.

Hosted by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, the groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled 4 p.m. June 8 at the school, 3304 S. Cox Ave.

New Covenant Chief Financial Officer Marlys Schoenwetter said the projects starting Monday would cost roughly $1.2 million. The school also plans to build a classroom wing and new gymnasium, which would bring the total capital campaign up to nearly $6 million, she said. New Covenant launched a silent campaign last June and officially opened up donations during its October fundraising banquet. To date, the school has raised $2.5 million, Schoenwetter said.

Construction of the wing and gymnasium would begin after more donations are acquired, Scott said.

Scott said New Covenant’s expansion plans were prompted by enrollment growth at the college preparatory school. Last year, there were 467 students, representing three-year growth of 39 percent. She said enrollment could hit 500 this year.[[In-content Ad]]