Parker School in Waimea breaks ground on multi-million dollar learning facility

Parker School broke ground on a new 21,000-square-foot multi-use facility last week that will include classroom space, a gym and a robotics lab.

School leaders and members of the community held a Hawaiian blessing ceremony for The SMART Center on Jan. 26. This $16 million capital improvement project on Parker’s 20-acre Waimea campus is the largest in the school’s 47-year history.

“The SMART Center will provide a gathering place spacious enough for our entire 330 kindergarten through grade 12 students for graduations, May Day celebrations, pep rallies, sporting events, robotics competitions, and summer programs,” said David Kirk, Parker School board president.

The SMART Center name is an acronym for the programs supported by the facility – Sports, Mathematics, Arts, Recreation, and Technology – and also acknowledges Richard Smart, sixth generation descendant of Parker Ranch who, through his generosity and vision, ensured Parker School would endure.

The building will include a 10,800-square-foot gymnasium with locker rooms and athletic personnel offices, a 3,600-square-foot technology center (three divisible rooms featuring a robotics lab, makerspace and design lab), a 1,600-square-foot dance studio, a 1,200-square-foot fitness center, a commercial kitchen, and multiple outdoor learning spaces.

Last week’s groundbreaking represents the cap of a multi-year fundraising effort, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, to meet the demands of current and future students.

“This milestone is the result of hundreds of people within and outside of Parker School, who believe in the power of education to change lives and who want to impact the children of Hawaii Island,” said Stephen Dunn, Parker’s Head of School.