Lake Forest Academy Plans Major Expansion To Athletic Center

LAKE FOREST, IL — Lake Forest Academy officials announced plans for a major expansion of athletic facilities at the private high school.

The project includes a 45,000-square-foot addition on the west side of the Crown Fitness and Wellness Center, doubling the amount of available indoor space for sports and fitness, according to school officials. It is expected to cost from $15 million to 17 million.

"This Athletic Center Expansion project serves our entire Lake Forest Academy community and beyond. It speaks directly to athletics’ foundational status in the LFA experience,” Chris Tennyson, head of the school, said in a statement.

Expansions to the school's athletics programs in recent decades — there are now 37 sports teams at the 440-student school — means it now exceeds the limits of the Charles F. Glore Memorial Gymnasium, which was built in 1953, according to school officials.

The new building will feature three multi-use indoor courts for sports that currently share a single court at Glore Gym, as well as an indoor running track, indoor turf to train for outdoor sports, squash courts and competition court with seating for up to 1,000 people.

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The expansion brings Lake Forest Academy's athletic facilities in line with regional public high schools and other boarding schools, according to school officials.

In addition to helping its build the reputation of the athletics department and attract skilled student-athletes, officials said the project will also leave more space for other fitness and recreational activities for other students.

“This facility will serve all students and adults in the LFA community and be the catalyst for greater efficiency in scheduling not only for the athletics department, but across campus while also advancing the LFA brand locally, regionally, nationally, and globally," Tennyson said.

"Our campus is excited for this project and we are looking forward to working with our many partners and supporters on this endeavor.”

The school plans to fundraise for the project at its annual gala in April. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring with plans to open by the fall of 2024.