
Photo courtesy of the University of Tampa
If the University of Tampa’s Sykes Chapel doesn’t ring a bell for you, it’s about to.
What’s happening: John and Susan Sykes' donation project, more than two decades in the making, is now only a year from completion — with a huge bell tower structure surrounded by a plaza with a fountain and lots of green space.
- It will be home to the largest Ars Sonora in the world, connecting 61 hand-crafted bronze bells to an electronic piano keyboard, and the first of its kind in the U.S.
- The 105-foot structure is designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and wind speeds beyond 160 miles per hour, along with six lines of defense for lightning and power surge protection, according to the university.
By the numbers: The structure includes ...
- About six miles of wiring.
- Four swinging motors.
- 147 lights.
- 63 bells (two are ornamental).
- 18 reinforced concrete drilled piers, embedded as deep as 80 feet underground.
One number we don't know: The total cost. UT isn’t discussing how much was donated for the project.

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