Published: Oct 17, 2008
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Thursday the University of Tampa will begin a project that promises to
provide a major enhancement to students’ academic and personal
development.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Sykes Chapel and
Center for Faith and Values will take place Thursday, Oct. 23 at 2:30
p.m. on the UT campus.
The ceremony, which will include
presentations by UT President Ronald Vaughn, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio,
members of the UT Board of Trustees, and project donors, will be held at
the future site of the facility on North B Street across from the
Brevard residence hall. Refreshments will be served, and “tours” of the
project will be provided.
The interfaith facility, announced last
May, includes a 300-seat main hall, meeting and meditation rooms, a
3,184-pipe custom-built organ, a plaza and a 75-foot, 60-bell grand
musical sculpture/fountain. The project is being built through a
multi-million dollar lead gift from John H. and Susan Sykes, and the
total project is valued at $19.5 million.
President Vaughn has
said that the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values will continue
the transformation of UT’s campus and further enrich the educational
environment and experience.
The chapel/center is scheduled for
completion in January 2010. Construction of the pipe organ and the
outdoor musical sculpture/fountain are to be completed afterwards.
The
Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values will represent the eighth
completely new building on UT’s campus in the past decade. The
architectural firm is Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates of
Atlanta, and the construction firm will be Peter R. Brown Construction
Inc. of Clearwater, FL.
For more about the Chapel/Center, visit the
Chapel Web page.