Thanks to a donor who has thus far remained anonymous, Episcopal School of Acadiana has secured property to construct a permanent location for its lower school, PreK 3 through fifth grade. The lower school has been temporarily housed on the grounds of St. Barnabas Church since it was started in 2004; grades six through 12 are located at the main campus in Cade.
The 6-acre tract of land is on Kaliste Saloom Road near the Vermilion River and includes a 20,000 square foot building that is the former home of LAFCO Boat Company. The building will be renovated for the new school.
"After an extensive search and review process, we are proud to announce that this site feels right," says ESA buildings and grounds committee chairman and board member Court Ramsay. The property not only provides the space ESA needs for expansion but is also in the heart of Lafayette, says Ramsay, an alumnus whose family has been one of ESA's biggest financial supporters since its founding in 1979.
Architect Kevin Gossen has been hired for the project, and the school is in the process of interviewing contractors. ESA has formed a design committee comprised of trustees and faculty members and has named a committee to raise funds for the new school.