On January 17, representatives from Wharton-Smith, Zyscovich Architects, Jacobs Engineering, Ahfachkee school staff, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida joined to cut the ribbon and officially open the Ahfachkee Lower School and Gymnasium. See photos.
This completed Wharton-Smith’s first commercial construction project for the Seminole Tribe after years of collaboration on water and wastewater projects. Thanks to the incredible relationship established with the Seminole Tribe, upcoming commercial projects with them include a Lakeland Community Building, Brighton Preschool and Playground, and the Ahfachkee Tribal Preservation and Maintenance Buildings.
The brand-new two-story classroom building and gymnasium were built as an expansion of the existing K-12 school to aid the growing community. The nearly 50,000-square-foot classroom building, along with the 17,000-square-foot gymnasium, allow for more learning opportunities and sports to be added to the school curriculum.
Fourteen representatives spoke during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, many speaking in their native language as they each issued thanks to those involved in the development of this project. Ahfachkee School Principal Philip Baer, in an emotional speech, gave thanks to Wharton-Smith, among others, and stated, “This ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of a new era for our school. May this building be a testament to our commitment to education in our community and a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds.”
Congratulations to the entire project team!
