Faith athletics complex project begins

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

A financial gift from a benefactor will help Faith Academy begin the first phase of the school’s athletic complex project.

A gift from Ray and Rebeca Britton of Horseshoe Bay will serve as a “cornerstone” lead gift that will fund the first phase of the $5.9 million athletic complex expansion program.

“We are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for Ray and Rebeca sharing their resources and making such a significant investment in Christian education for our community,” said Stuart Nunnally, Faith Academy trustee and board chairman.

“I congratulate Faith Academy for putting together such a strong team to carry on Christian education,” said Ray Britton. “I am excited to be a part of launching this major project at Faith, and Rebeca and I will assist in whatever capacity we can. Christian education in America today is much needed, and Faith Academy has played a very important role and will continue to be a centerpiece in sharing the love of Jesus in Central Texas. The launching of this project is an important moment, and I’m sure others will join in making this a major event in our community.”

Donna Wilcox, director of development at Faith Academy, described the Britton couple as “close friends with a Faith Academy family that has children in our school. They love Christian education and want to help ensure Faith reaches more families.”

The academy is nearing its 20th year in Marble Falls.

“We boldly and faithfully embrace the work to be done to complete this project for our families and community,” said Nunnally. “Not only will the complex be used by Faith Academy teams, but we will make it available to area athletic organizations for practices, tournaments, meets, and play-off games. We have a need for more fields, tracks, and gyms in our community, and we hope to help meet it by sharing ours.”

The expansion will undoubtedly save many parents and coaches gasoline expenses. Currently, both Faith Academy baseball and softball practice and play home games at the YMCA in Burnet. Track practices at the Marble Falls Middle School, while Tennis practices and plays tournaments at Horseshoe Bay.

“Faith’s athletic program has grown over the past five years, including the addition of baseball and softball,” Wilcox said. “The complex will strengthen our athletic program significantly.”

Expansion project details

The three-phase expansion, which will span Faith Academy’s rural campus east of Marble Falls, is estimated to cost $5.9 million. It includes a football field, track, softball field, baseball field, gymnasium, tennis courts, and additional parking.

The Britton’s donation will be enough for the school to begin construction the first phase: football field, track and parking lot.

Nunnally said they expect to break ground on the football field, track, and additional parking area in early 2018, and their goal is to be completed with all three phases of the athletics complex within 12-18 months.

The current football field would be renovated to look like a football stadium. (Faith Academy next year will be switching back to six-man football, where the 40-yard-line is midfield).

Wilcox said the current gymnasium will eventually be used for practice and overflow, once the new gym is constructed.

Handling growth

Faith Academy leadership has begun planning for the school’s anticipated growth over the next several years. As part of this process, Nunnally is forming an advisory council consisting of business and community leaders, philanthropists, and financial experts to help lead and devise plans for optimizing the investments into Faith Academy.

A number of retired business leaders are also working with the school to help manage the athletics complex project to completion.

Finally, long-term plans for financial stability and property maintenance sustainability are under development.

“We’re so excited about what the Lord is doing for us now and what He has done for us over the past 19 years,” said Nunnally. “Through God’s grace and guidance, along with plentiful prayer and hard work, what was a vision by a few has become a reality for many.”

Faith Academy is online at www.famf.org.