There's upheaval at Brookwood School this summer, although it's not the same sort of destruction caused by last year's tornado that hit the independent school.
The current renovation and landscaping work is changing the interior and exterior look of the campus almost as much as the February 2009 storm that took down most of the trees and wreaked havoc on several of the school's buildings.
"We are dealing with some major refurbishing and construction for the fifth summer in a row," said Headmaster Mike Notaro, who's been head of the school for all five of those summers. "This is another sign that we are trying to stay ahead of the curve, and it continues to set Brookwood apart."
Notaro said that much of the current work was originally scheduled for last year, but repairs following the tornado's damage to the campus took precedent.
Now, trees are being planted around the campus to replace those destroyed by the violent twister that hit Brookwood, and long-planned landscaping to enhance the areas in front of and around the buildings is finally taking place.
In the heart of the school's campus is the Founders Courtyard, known as the "quad," the area between four of the buildings where students have traditionally gathered between classes and before, during and after lunch in the adjacent cafeteria. This space will have a brick-walled terrace and new landscaping. Throughout the month of June, the area has been bulldozed, with trenches dug and brickwork placed in between large mounds of red clay. Beginning in July, new trees, shrubbery and grass will transform the area into a much more attractive gathering place in the center of the campus.
Inside Flowers Hall, the school's main administration building that also houses most of the Middle School classes, carpeting has been removed from all classrooms and hallways in preparation for new carpets, walls have been freshly painted, and the students' lockers will be replaced with new, larger compartments to hold books, backpacks and other belongings. Tile is being removed from student restrooms to be replaced with improved floor and wall covering that can be more readily cleaned and kept sanitary.
Thomasville's International Design & Display Group, the company that designed and created Brookwood's classroom desks and cabinetry in its newer buildings, is again constructing specialized workspace for administrative offices and a conference room and faculty workroom in Flowers Hall.
Carpeting has been removed, with new carpeting being installed throughout Chubb Hall, Brookwood's original classroom building.
Lighting fixtures in all classrooms and common areas in Flowers and Chubb Halls have been completely replaced with energy efficient overhead lighting. New energy efficient lights also were installed in the cafeteria, where ceiling tiles were replaced and improved. In addition, the gymnasium also has had better, high efficiency lighting installed.
Outdoor security and landscape lights will enhance the new trees being planted in the median strip of the driveway area in front of the school, which will dramatically change the appearance of Brookwood's main entrance.
Finally, new signage will greet visitors to the 40-year-old campus with nine buildings situated on more than 40 acres. The school is located on Cardinal Ridge Road off of Tall Pines Drive.
Brookwood Headmaster Mike Notaro, left, consults with J.D. Nissley and Blake Jones about the trenches and terrace forming the basis for the new landscaping in the heart of the school's campus.
Mike Notaro checks the new cafeteria ceiling tiles and energy efficient lighting fixtures at Brookwood.
