Community at the Heart of CGLA's New Indoor Soccer and Robotics Facility

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Anna Shand

Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Student Activity Building, a first-of-its-kind facility in Chattanooga that blends innovation with athletic opportunity. The center features a state-of-the-art robotics practice arena and the city’s only indoor 7v7 soccer field, offering students a space to learn, grow and lead.“The Student Activity Building represents CGLA’s investment in the whole student—not just academic growth, but also physical wellness, creative expression, social connection and leadership development,” said Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of CGLA.On Sept. 25, student ambassadors, school leaders, board members and state officials gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dr. Sue Anne Wells, founder of CGLA, officially opened the facility and reflected on the school’s journey.“I’m honored to witness yet another advancement in this community,” said Dr. Wells. “Our mission at CGLA is rooted in STEM, and this space reflects that commitment! We are deeply thankful to now have a dedicated space for all our incredible programs.” The 3,884-square-foot area provides CGLA’s award-winning robotics team with a dedicated facility to practice, design, build and program robots for VEX V5 Robotic Competitions, Chattanooga Area Local League play and other STEM events. The team, led by STEM Coordinator Cristol Kapp, was present at the ribbon-cutting event and gave attendees a demonstration of their robot and skills. The team of ambitious young leaders has set their sights on making it to the state tournament this year; this facility will allow them all the space and opportunity they need to pursue their passions. “Our robotics teams love their new practice facility,” said Kapp. “This space gives us the resources and flexibility to prepare for competitions, test our designs, and refine our robots. Our team has already set up the competition field for this year’s game. We are excited for this season!”The CGLA robotics team heads to their first competition of the semester on Oct. 3. The indoor 7v7 soccer field will allow CGLA students to train and compete year-round. The space will also be available to rent by other soccer organizations and local teams, allowing the surrounding Chattanooga community to thrive. While student empowerment and success are at the forefront of plans for the Student Activity Building, supporting the community has also been central to this project since the beginning. Originally a warehouse, the facility was acquired by CGLA in 2017. It has now been fully renovated into a space designed to uplift students and the broader community. “Even back then, we knew this space would be valuable to our students and community,” Dr. Swafford said. “Community has always been at the heart of this project, which is why we’re so excited to finally see it open.” The Student Activity Building is a new chapter in CGLA’s story. It’s a place where girls can envision futures in STEM, score their first soccer goal, and bring their community together.