Shortly before 2:00 pm Saturday (Sept. 27), 14 golden shovels hit the dirt outside Foxcroft School's Engelhard Activities Building and the entire student body -- decked out in athletic, riding, dance and spirit club garb – erupted in boisterous cheers and booming drum rolls. The assembled crowd of alumnae (on campus for Reunion), administrators, faculty, and friends joined in with enthusiastic applause. It was indeed a moment worth celebrating: the beginning of construction on a $14 million expansion and renovation of the School's athletic and student center. "I can't tell you how joyful I am that we are able now to celebrate our fine scholar-athletes with a building that will match their athletic prowess," said Foxcroft Head of School Mary Louise Leipheimer, "and that we will also restore the Student Center, which really is an incredible part of this community...I want to say thank you to the people who made this possible," she continued. "To my girls, I want you to know that I have wanted this for you more than you know. And I want you to know that you have been very patient and now it's here!"

Joining Leipheimer in the ceremony were some of the people who made the construction possible, both as major donors and as part of the School's leadership. Those wielding shovels in the ceremonial ground breaking included Pamela Mars Wright '78, her mother and Foxcroft Trustee Virginia C. Mars, daughter Charlotte Wright '12 and niece Bernadette Schuetz '03; Sally Bartholomay Downey '78; Ron and Nancy Lindquist and their daughter Kristina '10; Board of Trustees' Chair Alix Clark Diana '60, Trustees Tom Lane, Stuart Thayer and Chip Gruver; and Athletic Director Katie Ryan Kantz. "How exciting this is for all of us – the Board of Trustees, the faculty and administration, and the students -- to have the ground-breaking for this wonderful new project," said Diana. In her comments, Kantz exulted the broad impact the facility will have. "This building supports all aspects of Foxcroft life and values," she said. "These young women and future Foxcroft women will build even more sound bodies in a building where they can dance, cheer, climb, play, laugh, bond together, cheer at the top of their lungs for each other as a Foxcroft athlete -- or against each other as a Fox or a Hound {in intramural competition]...The overall athletic ability will obviously increase from such a venue, but the most exciting aspect of this building is the community aspect. This is a building for all arenas and all facets of Foxcroft life. The entire Foxcroft family will benefit from it."

When complete, the facility will feature a new double-box gym as well as a renovated competition gym; a state-of-the-art weight and fitness center; dedicated trainer's room; mezzanine-level running track and gallery; and a climbing wall. It will also contain additional team and locker rooms, a dance studio, and supporting offices and storage areas. A new wing will house a student center, game room, snack room, kitchen and other community-enhancing space. The double gym, given by the Mars Family, will be named the Mary Louise Leipheimer Gymnasium as a tribute to Foxcroft's Head of School, who is completing her 20th year at the helm. The student center, given in honor of the Class of 1978 by Downey and Wright, will be called "Roomies." Designed by Bowie Gridley Architects of Washington, D.C., the building is expected to be completed in 2010. Callas Construction of Hagerstown, MD., is the general contractor. The Athletic/Student Center project is part of Foxcroft's ambitious Campus Master Plan, which has already produced a new maintenance facility and includes proposals for a new dormitory, an arts center and new classrooms, laboratory and academic space.