In the work zone

When the Thompson Cage opened in the winter of 1929, the editors of The Exonian did little to mask their pride: “The completion of this cage marks the attainment of an old ambition and the opening of a new era in athletics at Exeter. The old cry of insufficient practice due to a lack of equipment in the winter term will be a thing of the past, for the new cage is without doubt one of the finest in the country.”

More than 40 years later, the newspaper quoted Trustee Emeritus James A. Fisher ’38 speaking about plans for PEA’s first permanent performing arts facility, Fisher Theater. “I hope that a proper theater built with an eye to maximum flexibility will inspire even more and better participation,” Fisher said. “Opportunities will expand, I hope, for acting, and that means appearing with confidence before others. ... And behind the scenes, opportunities for those in [the] production of sets, lights and all that goes with them.”

Those words have equal currency today, as the Academy prepares to open two new facilities on its South Campus this academic year: the field house (January 2018) and the David E. Goel and Stacey L. Goel Center for Theater and Dance (April 2018). Both buildings promise to be as revolutionary as their predecessors, providing modern, state-of-the-art spaces for students and educators for decades to come. Together, they will transform South Campus into a vibrant community hub that celebrates and promotes the ideal of mind and body working together.

Here is a sneak peek at the two buildings under construction this fall — with the help of some of their eager new tenants. Watch for full coverage of the building openings next year.