The Ho-Ho-Kus School District Celebrates the Opening of Duffield Hall

New athletic and wellness addition at The Ho-Ho-Kus School focuses on improving both the mental and physical health of students.

(Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ) September 13, 2024– Students and members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School District were joined by Ho-Ho-Kus borough officials, Architect of Record LAN Associates, builder Donnelly Construction, and project benefactors Dave and Cheryl Duffield to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Duffield Hall. This nearly 14,000 square-foot addition to The Ho-Ho-Kus School includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a wellness center, and a flexible classroom space, all of which were funded by a generous $10M donation from alumni Mr. Duffield and his wife, Cheryl.

The celebratory event included a pep rally with students, followed by the project unveiling and numerous speakers, including Mr. Duffield and his brother Al Duffield, members of the student body, and school officials. The new gymnasium is dedicated to the students of The Ho-Ho-Kus School, in honor of Mr.  Duffield’s parents, Albert and Mary Duffield. Mr. Duffield is a graduate of The Ho-Ho-Kus School, where his mother, was a beloved fourth-grade teacher for decades. The event coincides with the 70-year reunion anniversary of Mr. Duffield’s graduating class of 1954. In celebration of that and the newly completed project, several of Mr. Duffield’s classmates attended the event.

"It was an honor to watch Duffield Hall come to life. We were proud to work alongside the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation and the Ho-Ho-Kus School District to create a space that honors a great family and a great community,” said lead project architect Matthew Fink. “Together, we created a unique environment that instills pride and excitement and ensures the engagement of future generations.”

The project was designed to reinvent the athletic and wellness spaces in the district with a focus on the development of children and improving both mental and physical health. Duffield Hall includes a complete renovation of the existing gymnasium, new bathrooms and locker rooms, a new health classroom, and space for dance, yoga, and mindfulness lessons.

The design of the new Duffield Hall gym puts an emphasis on the school’s brand while providing an energetic atmosphere for events. Wrapped by a continuous ribbon pattern, the gym integrates the school’s logo, colors, and mantra for a space that truly inspires pride in the Ho-Ho-Kus community. In the center of the gym is a state-of-the-art physical education gaming system that offers an immersive educational experience for students of all ages.

The wellness center is a large, flexible space that allows for various lesson plans and activities. The design includes a large green ribbon-like ceiling, tying in the ribbon theme of other design elements in the project while incorporating biophilic design elements that bring nature-inspired themes into the classroom. The space also includes a mirrored wall with a bar for ballet lessons, sliding whiteboard doors for writable space, an interactive display, and large glazed areas that provide a view into the new outdoor learning space.

“The Duffield Hall dedication ceremony was an incredibly exciting and heartwarming experience. Our students’ expressions as they entered Duffield Hall for the first time said it all! To be able to share these moments with the Duffield Family and The Ho-Ho-Kus School class of 1954 made this even more meaningful,” remarked Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent of Schools Diane Mardy. “The architects and builders took a vision, designed a phenomenal space, and then brought that design to life. And now, our students and the Ho-Ho-Kus community will be able to enjoy this special space for generations to come. We are so grateful to Dave and Cheryl Duffield for their donation and for this lasting legacy that honors Dave's parents, Al and Mary Duffield.”

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