New Ramp Enhances Access to Hensley Memorial Chapel — Issue 15

Historic buildings edify our campus and are a hallmark of the KES experience. Legacy buildings have hosted faculty, students, parents, and alumni for over a century; however, it is only in recent decades that society has realized that accessibility also has to be a priority. It was with this mission in mind that maintenance staff member Jonathan Blanchard recently took on the construction of a ramp for the Hensley Memorial Chapel.

Jonathan completed the project, which required creativity and skill. “The toughest part was integrating the uneven sidewalk with the ramp,” he says. “Other than that, building it was a lot of fun.” The ramp allows wheelchairs to enter easily and also connects nicely with a new crosswalk, which honours our veterans. The ramp and walkway lead to the School’s cenotaph, while also providing easy access to the roadway for picking up people with mobility issues.

“The ramp will remove barriers to Chapel,” says Chaplain Dawn-Lea Greer. “It will allow more people to access the chapel to nourish their spiritual health.” Fundraising for the improved access began under Rev. David Curry, who recently expressed approval of Jonathan’s carpentry. The ramp is a direct result of a previous Giving Tuesday Campaign.

Kevin Lakes