Athens Bible School will mark the site of their new, much-anticipated school Sept. 21 with a public groundbreaking ceremony.

Up to a thousand people are expected to turn out for the 10:30 a.m. program and catered lunch.

Former and current students and staff, their families and community members will join U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, Calhoun Community College president Dr. James Klauber, Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Chairman Lynn Persell and several other dignitaries for the celebration.

According to school principal Randy Adams, the 74-year-old school is “old and inefficient,” and “a new building will be easier to maintain and will provide a far better learning environment for our children.”

They started making definitive plans for a new academy when Jack Cannon, a 1946 ABS alumni, donated 25 percent of his estate to the school three years ago.

Cannon was a teacher at various schools in the community for 30 years and a longtime member of Market Street Church of Christ, which also benefited from his estate.

“He was a well-respected figure around Athens and was the impetus for us to get the project going,” Adams added.

The new facility, located at 610 U.S. 31 North across the street from Athens High School, is projected to cost $8 million and will be about 35-40 percent larger than the current building. Along with a significant increase in square footage, the new land will provide 40 acres of space to build a softball and baseball field and possibly, a running track.

“We have never been able to have lights at our baseball field because our school is located in a residential area,” Adams said. “And we’re kind of famous for our gymnasium not having air conditioning.”

The new location will provide for these amenities, along with larger, better-equipped classes, a bigger auditorium and cafeteria, two media centers in the library building and separate science labs for elementary and high school students. It will also feature a well-developed administrative suite.

Adams expects that having a new facility will increase student enrollment numbers from 250 to 450.

“We have already had several families tell us they plan on enrolling their children once the new school opens,” Gayle Hagewood, assistant to the director of development, said.

Eleven builders have bid on the project. Adams said a choice will be made in October. McKee and Associates of Montgomery will serve as architects.

Hagewood said $5.4 million has already been pledged to the building fund. The school will continue to solicit donations through the Building on Excellence Campaign.

Sybil Fudge Dewhirst wouldn’t miss the groundbreaking for the world. The 94-year-old great-great- grandmother’s first husband, Bennie Lee Fudge, was one of the school’s three founders.

“Athens Bible School was our whole life,” Dewhirst said.

Their six children attended the school, and she taught there the first semester of the first year it was open.

“The groundbreaking is a thrilling thing,” Fudge Dewhirst said. “If anyone would have told me I would have been around to witness such a thing, I would have never believed them.”