A private Annapolis-area elementary school is the first beneficiary of an area TV station's scaled-down version of the network show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, winning $150,000 in repairs, if not a visit from spiky-haired host Ty Pennington.
This summer, Naval Academy Primary School is getting much-needed repairs of roof leaks, toilet backups and other problems, said Belinda Lee, project manager for Washington ABC affiliate WJLA. She is an alumna of the school.
Built Upon a Dream, which will bring makeovers to nonprofit organizations in the D.C. metropolitan area - in the spirit of the successful TV series - will not be its own series. Rather, the station will run public service announcements with vignettes about the project this week, encouraging viewers to visit its Web site to volunteer on this and future projects.
WJLA, which is Channel 7 in Washington, plans to do two projects a year and will accep applications, Lee said.
"Our idea was to help private nonprofits that have interesting and unique stories," she said.
Naval Academy Primary School dates to the late 1800s, when it was established as a nursery school for the children of academy officers and civilian staff members. It was housed in the lower level of the Naval Academy Chapel until 1913, when the space became a crypt for the remains of John Paul Jones.
The school moved across the Severn River to its current home on Greenbury Point Road, next to the academy's golf course, in 1949. It became independent from the Naval Academy in 1958 and relies on tuition and donations for its operations. The school typically enrolls 280 students a year and has about 50 staff members. Most of the families are connected to the military.
Lee's father, a Naval Academy graduate, was in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Annapolis for three years in the late 1970s. Lee attended the school from second to fourth grade before her father was reassigned to California.
Lee later moved back to the Annapolis area with her husband and reconnected with the school.
"I was surprised by how little it had changed," she said.
Towson-based MacKenzie Contracting Co. is coordinating construction. WJLA contacted the company because it is working next door to the school to build the $20 million Brigade Sports Complex. MacKenzie was thrilled to help, said company vice president David W. Riegel, who is general contractor on the school project.
"My kids are big fans of the Extreme Makeover show," he said.
M.C. Dean, based in Dulles, Va., is installing new lighting throughout the building. Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville donated at least $25,000 in time and material to grade and sod the school's playing field. The new playing field also will have a fence to prevent balls from rolling into the street.
Contractors will install a roof drain to prevent water damage that has caused the ceiling of the fifth-grade classroom to partially collapse at least once a year.
Attic fans and roof vents will be added to improve ventilation. Windows will be put into each classroom door so staff can monitor the rooms.
The restrooms have been gutted and will include lower, child-friendly facilities and new tile. New plumbing will end the regular overflows and backups.
"I have plunged toilets many, many times," said Devon Clouse, director of the school.
As part of the renovations, the primary school will get a washer and dryer so gym clothes, towels and rags can be cleaned on site. "I'm not going to have to schlep that home [anymore]," said Clouse.
The work and new appliances are being donated by more than a dozen contractors and suppliers. At least 50 volunteers from the Navy Federal Credit Union painted the interior of the school Saturday with the help of students' parents. The American Red Cross provided first aid, water and food. Volunteers are expected to return this Saturday to finish the painting.
Julie Hill, who works at a credit union branch in Manassas, Va., has no ties to the school but volunteered anyway.
"I like to look for anything that helps people," Hill said.
K. Hovnanian Homes provided faucets, sinks and tile in the bathrooms, new carpeting and bathroom fixtures.
"We thought it was exactly what we were looking for to give back to the community," said Hugo DeCesaris, regional president of the Landover company. He said he feels good helping an institution that serves military families.
"Those are the people who serve us, right?"