Erland Construction, Inc. marked the installation of the last piece of structural steel at The Pike School's new Creative Learning Center with a time-honored ceremony known as a "topping off." In keeping with traditions, the steel beam was adorned with an American flag and a small pine tree, which has a dual-significance of honoring the safe completion of the outer frame and representing good fortune to future inhabitants of the building once it is completed. Students, parents, faculty,and staff watched eagerly and exploded into applause as the beam was lifted into the air and safely secured into place.
John Waters, head of school, explained the history of the topping off ceremony to the crowd, from its first known origins in 700 A.D., when Scandinavians topped off construction of new halls with sheaves of grain, to the present, with its addition of an American flag.
Once finished, the Creative Learning Center will house classroom space and a new 280-seat theater with high-end finishes. The new building, designed by CBT Architects, will also serve as a connector to two existing buildings on campus. The project also includes renovations to classroom space and the existing arts center.