By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore/Autauga News
Prattville Christian Academy this week celebrated the new 40′ x 80’weight room that is conveniently located between Panther Stadium and PCA’s practice football field.
The new weight room is climate-controlled, which will better house the equipment the school has invested in, and the heated and cooled space where student-athletes will be able to work out. They can beat the heat during the summer and stay warm in the winter.
The new facility will serve approximately 240 student-athletes in grades 7-12 year-round.
PCA’s new addition will free up the current weight room, which will now offer space for additional school activities such as a covered, enclosed area for PE and recess on inclement weather days. The idea of a new weight room is something that school administrators have been in discussions about for quite some time.
“This new weight room has been in discussion and dreams for over five years, so I can’t wait to see our current and future student-athletes getting stronger physically and mentally and spiritually in this facility. I’m so thankful to all of those who gave not only financially but their time and talents and those who participated in our Coke fundraiser to make this dream finally come true,” PCA’s Athletic Director Tara Osborne said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Not only is PCA celebrating the weight room, but it is also celebrating a major milestone – the school’s 25th anniversary.
“What began as a 13-student schoolhouse has grown into the campus you see today serving more than 700 students in grades K3 through 12,” PCA’s Head of School Katie Furr said. “PCA has been blessed by the generosity of so many in our community since opening our doors in 1997, and today is no different. You’re standing in our new weight room, which has truly been a grassroots effort by so many people. Many of you in this room have given of your time, material, talents, and money to benefit students who are at PCA now and the hundreds more who will be using this weight room for years to come.”
Furr also showed appreciation to a few people who were key to this new addition to PCA.
“Thank you to Randy Grissett, who is the chairman of our facilities committee on the Board of Directors for PCA,” she said. “Thank you to Jason Coburn, Ben Byrd, DJ Alexander, Steve Carter, Jesse Roll, Paul Cutter, and Mike Eaves for working diligently in their areas of expertise providing us with significant cost savings in the construction of this building.”
Furr also showed appreciation to others who were essential in the building of this new facility.
“Thank you to our parents who gave financially towards this effort. I hope you feel the blessing of providing this building for so many students,” she said. “Thank you to our coaches, students and Maranda Greene who also helped to raise funds through the Coke fundraiser.”
In addition, Furr expressed appreciation to the Booster Club, “For truly making this building possible. The booster club has given thousands of dollars over the past few years towards this effort, PCA is truly blessed to have such a strong organization of parents who help our athletes succeed.”
Furr also thanked one individual who played a vital role in bringing the new facility to fruition.
“Last, but certainly not least, today’s ribbon cutting ceremony would not be possible if it were not for Kenny Gunn,” she said. “Kenny, you have been an incredible help to me through this process. You have pushed this effort throughout the last two years and have been key in getting this project completed. Because of this, we would like to give you a small token to show our appreciation to you.”
In closing Furr thanked everyone who attended the ribbon cutting and showed support for PCA and its newest facility.
“Thank you, all for coming out to show your support of this new building,” she said. “We are so grateful to our PCA families and community members who do so much for our school.”
