BOSTON--ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge, a nationally-recognized architectural design firm specializing in educational, athletic and biotechnology facilities, announced that it has been retained by Deerfield Academy to design a new 15,400-square-foot squash center on the school's campus in Deerfield, Mass.

The new squash center will be built as an addition to the school's existing athletic center and will include 10 squash courts, tournament seating and a multi-purpose lounge. Construction began in October 2006, with a completion date estimated in the fall of 2007.

“We're excited to work with Deerfield Academy on this project,” said Philip Laird, AIA, a principal at ARC. “We'd already worked closely with the school in helping them decide whether to renovate the existing courts or to build a new facility. It was clear, in the end that the best solution was to design a new squash center that could be added to the existing athletic center, a decision that further demonstrates Deerfield's commitment to providing its students with outstanding athletic facilities.”

Deerfield Academy is a private, coeducational prep school located on 7 Boyden Lane in Deerfield. The four-year boarding school has a student body of approximately 600 students and employs about 120 faculty members, all of whom live on or near campus.

The campus already has other outstanding athletic facilities, including a major-league quality baseball field recently constructed with the help of Mark Altman who was also involved in the construction of fields for Major League Baseball and the National Football League. The Hammerschlag Family Boathouse, also designed by ARC, located on the Connecticut River, is a state-of-the-art, 5,900-square-foot facility that houses 20 rowing shells and is equipped with ergs, free weights, and exercise and video equipment. The school also features 23 tennis courts, a hockey rink, a gymnasium with two basketball courts, a fitness center, and, the Koch Pool, one of the largest prep-school natatoria in New England with an eight-lane 25-yard pool and separate diving well.