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The Burroughs Gymnasium, entrance lobby, and new locker rooms are all sparkling and ready to invite athletes and fans alike to the Home of the Bulldogs.

This major renovation project, which started last spring, has both elevated and connected busy athletic spaces: A spacious hallway now connects the Burroughs Gymnasium to the Pavilion, so that athletes and fans can easily move from one building to another without walking outside, or running along the edges of the gym.

The hallway was created without enlarging the architectural footprint of the building. Instead, internal offices and spaces were reconfigured. Along the hallway are offices for athletic administrators, the Athletic Training Room, brand new locker rooms for the Bulldogs and visiting teams, and a sitting area for students. It also includes three new public restrooms and an area for vending machines. The hallway opens into the Pavilion lobby, which has received a sparkling new paint job.

The locker rooms have undergone a top-to-bottom transformation: Expansive lockers, new floors with the interlocking NA embedded in the epoxy, individual showers stalls, and an overall spacious design. The Bulldog locker rooms are painted with the school's colors, while the visiting team locker rooms are done in more neutral hues of lighter gray and navy blue.

Norfolk Academy's teacher-coach model is a hallmark of the school's culture, with many teachers heading from their classrooms straight toward the gyms or playing fields. Lockers rooms for the school's teacher-coaches have also been completely redone. 

“These improvements elevate the experience for our student athletes and teacher-coaches, while creating a more welcoming and connected environment for everyone who comes to support them," said Head of School Travis Larrabee. “Generations of Bulldogs have brought tremendous enthusiasm and pride to our athletic program, and these new spaces reflect that spirit and the important role athletics plays in bringing our community together.”

The Burroughs Gym had a second set of new bleachers installed in early 2026, so its renovation is complete. Burroughs is the school's main and oldest gym, the location for major all-school events, such as the S. Barron Segar Day Installation of the Honor Councils at the start of the year.

“We’re really excited about what these renovated spaces will bring to Norfolk Academy Athletics and, most importantly, to our student-athletes, coaches, and families," said Chad Byler, Director of Athletics. “Norfolk Academy is fortunate to have the opportunity to invest in spaces like these and give our athletes a place to build memories. Our athletics program is grateful for the support behind this project, and I’m looking forward to seeing these areas filled with our students." 

More information about this significant renovation will be shared in the next edition of the Academy magazine.

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