Yesterday afternoon, we passed our first building inspection for the next phase of the campus build-out, and this morning, our friends Judy and Jaxon from J&J Earthworks broke ground on the Great Hall in preparation for our foundation installation next week. The build has officially begun!
Meanwhile, our team continues to prepare timbers for the frame raising. Today Joel, Aden, and Morgan have been in the yard working on the 10×16 oak beams that will support the dining hall floor, and the 10×12 yellow poplar rafters that will tower above the hall. The team has begun to sand and oil the lower floor’s timbers in preparation for our first raising in a few short weeks.
The anticipation has been building here for some time, so it has been a joyous sight to see the first scoops of dirt come out of the ground while the carpenters work steadily to finish the frame.
The Great Hall is our main multi-purpose building, and when it is finished, we’ll be equipped to open the high school and begin the Academy’s full program.
Thanks to all who have supported the project so far, and all who continue to provide the resources we need to achieve our mission. In the midst of the present culture’s instability, we need holy, generally competent men to bolster and lead our communities, and we wouldn’t be able to train our students to this end without the generosity of our friends. The Great Hall is the place we’ll carry on our work, but the community of faithful supporters is the engine behind the mission, and we’re continually grateful for the strength and energy poured into the effort from our patrons and partners. Now, more than ever, as we continue this significant work, we rely on the generosity of the community to keep the build moving and on schedule.
More updates to come soon,
Thomas Fickley
St. Dunstan’s Academy
Headmaster
