Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., alongside Hendry County School District leaders, elected officials, students, and community members, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LaBelle High School on Tuesday, April 28, marking a significant milestone in the future of education in Hendry County.
Held at the future campus site on Helms Road, formerly orange groves owned and farmed by the Hansen family, the ceremony honored both the community’s agricultural roots and its forward-looking investment in education.
The program included a presentation of colors, an invocation by Reverend Preston Long Jr., remarks from district, school leadership, a LaBelle High School student, and the Mayor of LaBelle followed by the official ceremonial groundbreaking.
Attendees enjoyed a performance by the LaBelle High School Vaquero Jazz Ensemble and refreshments prepared by the school’s culinary students. Additional student groups represented included the Public Service Academy, Future Farmers of America, and Student Government, highlighting the diverse opportunities available to students.
The new LaBelle High School represents a $123 million investment and will include a state-of-the-art, 220,000-square-foot campus designed to serve approximately 1,500 students. The modern facility will replace the existing high school, originally built in the 1970s, and will feature advanced academic classrooms, career and technical education spaces, athletics facilities, and enhanced safety and accessibility features.
“This project represents a major milestone for Hendry County,” said Michael Swindle, Superintendent of Hendry County School District. “While our team had not previously built a new high school, Owen-Ames-Kimball has been an outstanding partner, guiding us through every step of the process with expertise, transparency, and a true commitment to our community. We are deeply grateful to our state legislators, School Board members, County Commissioners, and City Commissioners for working together to make this new campus a reality.”
“Owen-Ames-Kimball is proud to partner with the Hendry County School District on a project that will have a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire LaBelle community,” said Jim Hopper, President of O-A-K’s Florida Division. “This new campus is more than a building—it represents opportunity, growth, and a commitment to preparing students for the future through modern learning environments and hands-on career pathways.”
Notably, three members of the O-A-K project team are graduates of LaBelle High School, bringing a personal connection and deep sense of pride to the project as they help build the future of their hometown.
“This is not just a construction site—it is the foundation of our future and the beginning of a new era for our community,” said Tammy Bass, Principal of LaBelle High School. “Our students are dedicated, hardworking, and incredibly talented. They will excel in an environment that reflects their potential—a professional setting that matches their ambition. They are absolutely worth it.”
Construction management for the project is being led by Owen-Ames-Kimball, in partnership with Grace Design Studios, LLC, and Rock Enterprises, LLC. The collaborative team will deliver a campus designed to support both academic excellence and workforce readiness.
The new LaBelle High School is anticipated to finish construction at the end of 2027, providing generations of students with a modern, safe, and inspiring place to learn and grow.
Owen-Ames-Kimball’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.