MACA facility almost complete
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam MACA Principal Steven Clagg and Preschool Director Diane McCombs stand in front of the school's new facility. The building is expected to be ready for classes in August.

The new facility for Mountain Area Christian Academy (MACA) is nearing completion after a year of construction.

The 75,000 sq. ft. facility is located on a 16 acre site roughly halfway between Blairsville and Blue Ridge. One third of the building (25,000 sq. ft) is located in a second floor area that will be used for expansion.

The first floor of the building will be able to accommodate 350 students, while the future expansion could provide space for more than 200 more. "The school has enough room to grow to 550 or 600 kids. We could set three of our old school into this thing," MACA Principal Steven Clagg stated, giving perspective on the size difference between the two facilities.

Principal Clagg hopes the second floor expansion can also be used to house the music program. "We could even play soccer in here," Principal Clagg said jokingly of the amount of space available.

The facility has a total of more than 20 classrooms along with faculty offices, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria area. The gymnasium will include a stage area for productions while the cafeteria will function as the school chapel. Playground areas will be located outside.

The school is planning to add athletic fields to the site as well. Last year MACA began a baseball program and will be adding an eight-man tackle football this year. "Having our practice fields on site will be huge," Principal Clagg said.

MACA is also now offering a preschool program that will be housed in a separate wing of the building along with elementary school students.

Information on that program was detailed in the June 14 issue of the Union Sentinel. "Our hope is to pick up [students] at age two and keep them at MACA until they graduate," Principal Clagg stated.