Extensive renovations and additions to the lower fields at Girls Preparatory School will soon be underway. Franklin Architects designed the project; T.U. Parks Construction Company will complete the work.
A new look to the lower athletic complex will build upon the recent updates to the softball field and track. Included in the project is an outdoor plaza to create a space for guests and to provide a point of entry to the athletic fields.
Within the tennis complex, a team room and lockers will be added to serve GPS tennis teams and coaches. A visitor’s team room will be added for tennis as well as other sports that compete on the lower fields.
Improvements will also be made to the surface of the tennis center parking lot. The existing restrooms will be renovated and the balcony area will get a facelift.
The anticipated completion date for this project is December.
About two of every three GPS middle school students compete on one of 12 athletic teams. Sixty percent of upper school students compete on one of 15 varsity teams. Athletic participation rate in 2017-18 for high school girls in Tennessee was less than 37 percent – the second-lowest in the nation, according to Forbes.com.
This summer, GPS installed new bleachers and a camera system in the main gym, allowing fans to watch volleyball and basketball games through a streaming service. A similar camera was added at the stadium, providing viewing capabilities for soccer and lacrosse.
And a dedicated strength and conditioning program, with two nationally certified coaches on staff, resulted in fewer injuries in every sport GPS tracked during the 2018-19 school year over the previous year.
Also noteworthy: 13 percent of last year’s graduating class committed to continue their sport in college; the national average is around seven percent, according to NCAA.org.
Source: GPS