The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach recently broke ground on its new Center of Performing Arts.
“It was wonderful,” Glenn Martin, director of development, said. “Mr. Snyder and the kids put on a wonderful performance, and had the opportunity to say thanks to lots of folks in the community. We’re happy to have gotten the project off the ground.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” David Snyder, artistic director of fine arts, said. “The campus was built in 2005, and we’ve been anticipating this project happening since then.”
The $9.5 million, 23,000-square-foot center will provide a space for TKA’s theater, choir, band and dance programs. No longer will the Fine Arts Department have to share a space with the athletic teams as it has in the past. The new center is scheduled to be completed for the beginning of school in August 2016.
“Everyone is very excited; it has the moral and financial support,” Glenn said. “Some of the kids who are older are disappointed they won’t have a chance to use it, but are excited to be part of the legacy.”
“I think it is a fabulous idea,” Mike Rodriguez, father of three, said. “It’s a great opportunity for the school to showcase what they do in their Fine Arts Department.”
Rodriguez’s two older sons have already graduated from King’s Academy but his daughter, a freshmen this year, will have a chance to perform in the new center when it is completed.
“I was amazed by the quality of work that the students put together,” Rodriguez said. “I hope the community of West Palm can also be able to come and enjoy the fine work they do there.”
The King’s Academy, 8401 Belvedere Road, received many donations for the new Performing Arts Center but a $500,000 gift from the Esther B. O’Keeffe Charitable Foundation gave the school the final push to break ground. The school is naming the main lobby in the foundation’s honor.
“We’re excited for our patrons who have been following us,” Synder said. “[We’re] excited to see our patrons have a beautiful space to enjoy a great show.”
“We appreciate all those in the community who have been a part of making it happen,” Martin said.
