A Brand New Lund

An updated Lund classroom

Coming to school early this September, a PCD student could be forgiven for assuming that everything would be similar to last year. Just as in years past, the school gates were open and the grass was mowed. The soccer goals were out and football goal posts up, prepared for another great fall sports season. Students eagerly milled about, preoccupied with what classes they would take or what new friends they would make. Chace, Metcalf, Murray, and Lund, the main school buildings, stood in the distance, just as they had for years.

But behind the scenes, the summer had been busy on the Providence Country Day campus. Led by Superintendent of Grounds Vincent Nocera, a crack construction team worked throughout the summer vacation to give Lund Hall, the school's main Upper School building, a dramatic facelift. Although the construction has been more or less complete for a couple of weeks, the benefits are only now being truly understood as students and teachers ease into their newly renovated building.

Leeds Corridor, before (above)

and after (below) renovation.

Emerging through the Class of 2012 foyer--a gift of the graduating class last June--students encounter a cleaner, brighter, and more open building. Lockers have been moved to open up hallways, the floors replaced with wood and carpet, and the furniture completely overhauled. 

Students have offered unsolicited praised for a number of the changes, from the improved chairs and desks to the new carpets and walls. "The new benches and chairs are great," an excited senior remarked from a renovated bench in the Leeds Corridor. "They are so much more comfortable!"

But as much as the comfort has been a hit, teachers and students alike have noted that the building has a new, more positive atmosphere that has so far been much more conducive to learning. The renovation "opens the school up to a whole new dimension, adding light and joy!" exclaimed another senior. "That will make it such a great place to learn!"

A view from the Class of 2012

foyer in Lund Hall.

The changes to the building are, of course, only cosmetic. The business of PCD--students and teachers discussing and learning--remains the same great, dynamic process as ever. But there can be no doubt that the feeling inside the building is more aligned with that process of education than ever. As the appearance of Lund has come to match the quality of what goes on inside, the feeling at PCD is that this already has the makings of a great new school year. Or, in the inimitable words of a member of the recently-graduated class of 2012, it's "too bad they did this after we left!"

For more photos of Lund Hall before and after renovation, please check out our photo album at http://www.flickr.com/photos/providencecountryday/collections/72157631439912134/