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ATTLEBORO - Grace Baptist Christian Academy is planning some major renovations to the building that it has called home for five years, and that has been an institution in Attleboro for 100 years.

The facility, located on Oakhill Avenue near Briggs Corner, has a rich history as the site over the years of the Talaquega Park Casino, the Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital and the Bristol Nursing Home.

The academy's renovations were driven by the need to upgrade the aging facility, provide a more modern and attractive building, and to better serve the growing student population.

Less than 15 students were enrolled when the church bought the building in 2003. Today, 140 students attend Grace Baptist Christian Academy.

"We wanted to improve the look of the building and bring the building up to modern-day standards," said the school's principal, Pastor Jeffrey Bailey. The renovations have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, but began in earnest in April when workers closed in the long porch at the front of the building and installed new windows and siding. It will become the school's cafeteria and fellowship dining hall with the capacity to seat 150, according to Bailey. Students now usually eat in their classrooms.

With the exterior work completed, Grace Baptist Christian Academy soon will begin remodeling the interior of the new dining hall.

"Demolition of the inside will begin this summer. We'll take up the floor and replace the ceiling. It will be all new. Hopefully, it will be done by the fall," said Bailey, who will be with the academy 20 years in October. Other renovations taking place include new boys and girls' restrooms that are expected to be ready by the end of the month.

According to Bailey, the renovation is a continual process that started the day the academy moved in. "We don't have the money to do everything at once. We prioritize one thing at a time. As other projects get done, we move on to the next ones," he said.

"We have many more miles to go before we're finished, but it's coming along," he added.

Roof work in the front of the building is one of the next projects. The school is also hoping to replace the antiquated heating system.

One long-term project involves remodeling the basement to create a youth center for the entire community to enjoy. The center will offer ping-pong, air hockey, a big-screen television, a lounge area and various activities a few evenings a week.

"It distresses us that kids have nothing to do in the area. We want to give them someplace to go in a supervised environment and still have a good time," Bailey said.

That project is another year or so away.

All of the improvements must be voted on and approved by the congregation. The academy is a ministry of Grace Baptist Church. Students from as far away as Danielson, Conn., and North Kingston, R.I., attend the academy. The school offers a classical Christian education, an average class size of between 8 and 18 students, science and computer laboratories and several extracurricular and interscholastic athletic programs.

Many Grace Baptist students excel in sports and music. One of the singing groups recently performed in a national competition and both the basketball and soccer teams have gone on to the championship.

"Community service, Christian service, music, art, athletics, we encourage it all. We encourage them all to be the best they can be," Bailey said.

Laura Calverley can be reached at lcalverley@aol.com