Students at Hackley School in Tarrytown will have more excitement than most when the year begins next week. After three years of rebuilding, Hackley’s Goodhue Hall is ready for classes to begin. Goodhue, built over a century ago, was destroyed by a fire in August 2007.

According to Hackley School Headmaster Walter Johnson, the project is a “tremendous testimony” to community. Without the efforts of over 26 fire departments and 300 individuals, the entire Hackley complex would have been destroyed.

“The restoration is a testimony to the collective community commitment,” Johnson said.

Rebuilding the facility offered the opportunity not merely to restore, but also to enhance it, making it serve the needs of 21st century learning. Seizing the opportunity, the building has been modernized, reflecting updated code requirements and application for LEED Gold Certification. Available square footage has doubled, adding classrooms, individual study rooms, offices and a student lounge to the existing library, classroom and computer room space. The rebuilt facility will increase the square footage by approximately 8600 square feet of space.

The approximate $15 million construction price, covered partially by insurance, has been made possible by $7.5 million in fund raising. —Jennie Lyons