HORNET’S NEST Proctor Academy | November 13, 2023 | Vol. 9 | Issue 2
Creating a New Proctor By Brendan Gurtler
What would you like to see built next at Proctor? Well, there are plans to create a new Student Center, dorms, as well as a Health and Wellness Center. Last year, a team of designers and architects came on campus to analyze student’s traffic patterns to see the most active locations on campus. They looked at buildings in need of updating and reviewed the possibility of adding additional buildings. After talking to students, faculty, staff, and parents, they created a Master Plan that provides an outline for new buildings into the next few years. Some buildings that are a priority include a new Health and Wellness Center, a new Student Center, and new dorms. In addition, the school has a huge need for more faculty housing. Scott Allenby, the Chief Strategy and Communications Officer told me the plan for any updates on campus is, “... to understand the use of the physical spaces of campus (buildings and natural space), and identify opportunities for future development, renovation, enhancement, or investment while maintaining the character of the campus.” This plan that was created gives Proctor a blueprint for ideas to improve Proctor while maintaining its current image. The planning team heard our voices and felt that certain projects were more important than others. Recently, funds have been donated to renovate the Health Center, which will create a larger space with room for counseling, additional beds, and more advanced technology.
New Student Center Coming Along with the needed updates to the Health Center, a new Student Center is being planned where Farm House sits that will run along the side of the turf towards Peabody Dorm. This Student Center would be similar to the Wise but a much larger space, with activities that are Wise favorites such as pool, foosball, and air hockey. When the designing team came in to provide feedback they suggested that the new Student Center should be closer to the center of campus. Having this plan in place allows Proctor to take action when funds and the timing are right, so if any of you would like to see a new Student Center in the near future, donations are welcome anytime!
A sketch of the new Health and Wellness Center by Brooks Bicknell.