A grand opening event celebrated the completion of a construction project and showcased the innovative programs offered at Sugg Middle School.
Principal Lorie Starkweather, staff and student ambassadors, welcomed guests on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
Student artwork and interactive Black History Month projects were on display.
There was a ribbon cutting and a tour of the brand new school building in West Bradenton, led by students from the culinary, FFA, dance and track teams.
The new two-story structure was built adjacent to the original school which opened to students in 1974.
These photos are available in the Manatee Library's Historical Digital Collection website.
The new school includes science technology labs, custom animatronics (Garner Holt Education through Imagination), and a robotics/programming station.
There are 104 additional student spaces within the new school and its center features a mall-like facade.
Guests enjoyed refreshments in a state of the art culinary kitchen (classroom) and visited the modern urban agricultural facilities.
Work on the $48.8 million project began in March of 2021 and was completed in November of 2022.
The new lunch room seats an entire grade level, and reduces the number of lunch periods from six to three.
This project was made possible thanks to funds provided by the voter-approved half-cent sales tax referendum.
Architecture/Engineering: Harvard Jolly Architecture
Construction Manager: Willis Smith Construction
About the school namesake: Dr. William Daniel (W.D.) Sugg, a native of Tennessee, moved to Bradenton, Florida, in 1929 while in his early 30's.
He was a prominent surgeon and civic leader who helped shape Manatee County into what it is today.
Manatee Library Historical Digital Collections
Dr. Sugg was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium (currently named: The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature), Hernando DeSoto Historical Society and DeSoto National Memorial, Florida West Coast Symphony (currently named: Sarasota Orchestra), The Manatee Players (currently named: Manatee Performing Arts Center) and Manatee Memorial Hospital.
He died in 1981, when he was 84 years old.