What is "The Expansion Project?"

Have you ever visited ACS during Secondary Lunch? If you have, you probably recognized that our serving space is cramped. In fact, our kitchen hasn't been updated in 19 years! The current kitchen was built as a part of the first permanent structure on the Sparta Ave. campus in 1990. Fashioned after a home kitchen, it had wooden cabinets, laminate countertops, a single range, and limited storage. 

In its earliest iteration, “Hot Lunch” consisted of Little Caesars pizza on Fridays, delivered by volunteers. Eventually, an official hot lunch program was offered. Run completely by volunteers, hot lunch was only available three times a week and limited to what could be made in roasters, crockpots, and a microwave. 

In 2005, the kitchen underwent a significant upgrade to accommodate increasing enrollment and the expansion of the Hot Lunch program. Equipped with stainless steel prep tables, handwashing and dishwashing stations, a commercial-grade range, and multiple refrigerators and freezers, the facility was state-of-the-art and capable of serving hot lunch to up to 300 students daily.

Today, with an enrollment of over 365 students, more than 50 staff members, and the addition of our Wee Knights Child Development Center for infants through preschoolers, the need for a modernized kitchen is more pressing than ever. Despite updates to our technology, security, classrooms, and athletic facilities over the past 19 years, the kitchen has remained largely unchanged. Our fearless food services director, Mrs. Macy, makes the best of her less-than-ideal kitchen, but space constraints have started to take their toll. 

And she’s not the only one burdened by a lack of space. As enrollment continues to break records, every nook and cranny of our facility is in use. The last addition to our secondary wing took place in 1998, when enrollment was at 260 students. The new Wee Knights building has allowed us to reclaim necessary classroom space for our elementary wing, but no such alternatives exist for our secondary students. 

Thus we are excited to announce plans for a new multipurpose "Cafetorium." This expansion project is the addition of a state-of-the-art kitchen, plus a gymnasium/auxiliary space to be used for elementary PE, chapel, music, band classes, concerts, and a cafeteria! It also includes flex space for extra growth as needed. The building will be located behind the current facility and will be connected to the new Wee Knights Child Development Center. 

Mrs. Macy has ambitious plans for her new kitchen, including the elimination of disposable dishware, the installation of a salad bar, and initiatives to reduce waste. Unlike the current setup where meals are pre-assembled and boxed, the new kitchen will feature a larger serving window, allowing for more personalized meal service.

It is important to the School Board and Administration that no debt be incurred for this project. Therefore, all expenses must be met by fundraising and donations. Already, an extremely generous donor has allotted nearly $600,000 for this project. But we need to raise an additional $200,000 by December in order to have the shell of the building constructed and able to withstand a Michigan winter. One of the largest expenses of this vast project is the installation of a second floor mezzanine. If our funding allows, the mezzanine can be constructed as one piece and lowered into place. However, if we do not have the funds before it becomes necessary to put the roof in place, the mezzanine will have to be built into place down the road. Installing the mezzanine before the roof will save us between $50,000 and $75,000!

If you or someone you know is interested in partnering with us to make this expansion project a reality, please reach out to our Development Director, Brittany Dracht ([email protected]) or call the school office (616-678-4780).
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We're honored to offer a Christ-centered education to students in our community, and delighted to see growth that necessitates expansion!