Groundbreaking Ceremony held by Bridgton Academy for new Humanities Center

North Bridgton, Maine-

On June 5^th, 2005 Bridgton Academy of North Bridgton, Maine held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the official start of construction for the new Humanities Center.  In attendance were the Academy’s Board of Trustees, members of the Academy’s project planning and fundraising committees, project donors, alumni, members of the North Bridgton community, project architect, Harriman Associates, and the project’s construction manager, Kelleher Construction Company. 

The new freestanding, two-story 16,800 square foot facility will incorporate a lecture hall, four seminar rooms, a multi-purpose classroom, administrative offices, a reading center, and a writing center.  In addition, the second level of the Humanities Center will be the new home of the school’s library.  The library interior will be complete with heavy timber trusses, decorative columns, and cathedral ceilings.  Natural finish wood paneling and large windows will create an open and bright feel to the library, while incorporating the warm and rustic ambience of Northern Maine and a stunning view of Long Lake .

There are many unique aspects to the design of the Humanities Center including a large open air radial portico adorning the northwest elevation of the building entrance.  Planning for the Humanities Center has ensured that the lecture hall will be outfitted with the latest in data and audio/visual equipment including, wireless internet capabilities, streaming message board, and classrooms equipped with Smart Boards and overhead projectors.  The hall will accommodate up to 60 patrons and be used for academic lectures and school activities.  In addition, the hall will be available to the greater Bridgton community for other events. 

Kelleher was contracted by Bridgton Academy in the spring of 2004 to provide pre-construction services for the planning of the new center.  Working in coordination with the Bridgton Academy staff and project architect, Harriman Associates of Auburn, Maine for the planning of this project, Kelleher has now transitioned to the project’s construction manager and will oversee the construction and completion of the project.  It is anticipated that the construction of the Humanities Center will be completed in spring 2006.

^{Photo by: ©John McKeith}

^{Photo caption (l to r):  Anthony Roy, Harriman Associates, Robert Klinedinst, Harriman Associates, Miles Gattenby, Kelleher Construction Company, Cailin Kelleher DeBiase, Kelleher Construction Company, Jack Kelleher, Kelleher Construction Company}