Join Us in Shaping the Future of RAA
We're excited to share a bit about some of the future plans for our campus that will address some of our long-standing facility needs, including a gym, renovation of the current gym that will turn it into our auditorium, a refresh on some of our outdoor spaces, as well as some plans for building 800 (the old kindergarten building). These improvements will change the future of our students and RAA, helping us meet needs, and continue to improve what we offer here as well as make long-time dreams come true.
Your support is crucial to making this dream a reality. By donating to our campaign, spreading the word, or otherwise supporting these projects, you will be investing in the future of our students and our community.
As we make progress towards realizing these dreams, you can keep informed of any updates here.
Gym
Located near the center of our campus, RAA's gym is one of the main hubs for campus life, hosting everything from PE classes and sports games to concerts and special events. As part of our campus plans, we envision constructing a new gymnasium and fitness center that will be located adjacent to the athletic fields, while repurposing the existing gym into a dedicated auditorium, chapel and music building. The new gym will boast a range of amenities including specialty classrooms, a workout/weight room, an indoor track, upgraded spectator seating, a concession area, modern locker facilities, athletic staff office space, a covered student pick-up area, and more.
This new building will have a transformative impact on our campus life, not only allowing for a much-needed, air-conditioned space for our athletics program, but also space for expanding our educational offerings and resources, improving scheduling flexibility, increased sports event capacity, and providing an altogether more modern facility that we can enjoy for years to come.
Auditorium, Chapel & Music Building
For decades, our gymnasium at the front and center of our campus has served as THE multipurpose space, hosting most of our large on-campus events. As part of the vision for the future of RAA's campus, we plan to repurpose this ideally located building into a dedicated auditorium, chapel, and music center. The remodeled space will not be recognizable as the old gym from the inside, with a modern auditorium featuring appropriate lighting and acoustics, climate control, comfortable auditorium seating for large performances, medium-sized assemblies or intimate chapel gatherings, presentations, and other assemblies, gatherings and events.
This repurposing will be a game changer for our chapels and our music program creating a dedicated space for rehearsals, performances, and classes, bringing all our on-campus musical activities under one roof. The exterior of the building will also be upgraded, contributing to improved curb appeal and making RAA recognizable as a school from the street.
Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten
Building 800 has served a variety of purposes over the years, from a kindergarten and tk space to a room for art and KidsCare to storage and a space for constituent church meetings. This building has served us well, but is currently underutilized and is ready for a refresh. As part of the campus master plan, we hope to update the building's facade, giving it a fresh and welcoming look, as well as significantly expand and improving the outdoor areas with exciting, natural hands-on learning stations. Think interactive garden beds, a nature park-like play areas with a bike track and exciting spaces for exploration and discovery.
This transformation will be invaluable as we look into expanding our TK and Kindergarten program into a one-of-a-kind experience, setting RAA apart in not only our local area, but within the Adventist education system at large. Whether the focus is on hands-on learning, a Spanish immersion program, or other innovative approaches, the building updates and expanded outdoor early childhood learning areas will provide the perfect setting. Furthermore, adjacent to the building we plan to add a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone with short-term parking in order to streamline pick-up and drop-off, ensuring safety and convenience for our families. This investment in our youngest learners is viewed as one of the highest priorities because it will teach them life skills and lay a strong foundation for their future academic success and the success of RAA as a whole.
Outdoor Spaces
Our campus boasts beautiful grounds, and we're committed to enhancing them further, maximizing their potential for learning, recreation, and community building. A series of improvements have been envisioned, including surrounding the Quad with comfortable seating pods to foster collaboration and relaxation. We also plan to resurface and relocate the track to optimize space for other campus enhancements. The high school lunch areas will be refreshed with more welcoming and functional spaces, and different beautification initiatives to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of our campus.
These projects will transform our campus into a more vibrant and engaging environment. They will provide additional spaces for outdoor learning, group projects, and social interaction, while showcasing our school's natural beauty and creating a cohesive campus-wide aesthetic. Revitalized building exteriors and landscaping will boost our curb appeal and instill a greater sense of pride. The resurfaced track will not only maintain its exercise functionality, but also strategically accommodate other important projects, such as improving handicap accessibilty and adding additional parking spaces. This investment in our outdoor spaces will enrich the overall campus experience and cultivate a stronger sense of community.
Baseball Field
To accommodate the proposed new gymnasium, the plan is to relocate the baseball diamond to the south-east corner of the field, directly opposite its current location. This move will also allow for additional spectator seating and upgrades to the dugouts and bullpen.
Quad & Pickleball Courts
The Quad, our campus's heart, is a vital space for student play, outdoor events, and community gatherings. Improving the landscaping and adding seating areas will make this space more usable and inviting. We're also considering moving and refacing the elementary classrooms, but that's a separate project. Additionally, outdoor pickleball courts will be added to the blacktop west of the playground. This exciting addition will provide fun and promote wellness for older students and the wider community.
The envisioned improvements reflect RAA's commitment to maximizing the use of our existing spaces while simultaneously enhancing their functionality and beauty. We believe that well-designed and attractive outdoor areas contribute significantly to the overall campus experience, fostering a sense of community and well-being for students, faculty, and the broader community.
.jpg/11-19-2024-A(1)__800x450.jpg)
