NEWS
RELEASE October
13, 2006
For more information, contact Marie A. Casey at Casey Communications, Inc., 314/721-2828.
St. John Vianney High School Dedicates New Fieldhouse and Commons
Major Campus Improvements Are Part of $9 Million Capital Campaign
It
is the school’s first major expansion since Vianney opened
in 1960, part of a $9 million capital improvement campaign entitled “Vianney…Our Family is Building.” The
campaign expresses the school’s 25-year master plan with widespread
improvements to the educational, athletic and co-curricular facilities
as well as the overall 37-acre campus.
“The
new Fieldhouse and Commons equip us to better
meet the needs of current and future Vianney students,” said Lawrence
Keller, principal. “The improvements have enhanced the
face of our campus while providing modern spaces for educating young
men. Our expanded facilities help us more fully express the spirit
of hospitality that is so integral to our Marianist tradition.”
With
completion of the Vianney Fieldhouse and
Commons, construction has begun for a new 10,550-square-foot, $3.5
million Education Wing featuring high tech classrooms, a library/media
center with outdoor patio, faculty work area, conference room and administrative
offices. The existing school offices and library will be transformed
into an additional 2,560 square feet of classrooms and multimedia rooms
to accommodate more classes in the original school building. Construction
of the new wing is
scheduled for completion in summer 2007.
All
of the additions have been designed by Mackey Mitchell Architect Paul Wuennenberg, Vianney Class
of 1981. Wuennenberg was inspired to
pursue a career in architecture by long-time Vianney staff
member Jim Farrell, who teaches engineering and architectural
drawing. McCarthy is the general contractor for
both projects.
The
capital campaign began in the spring of 2003 when more than 150 members
of the Vianney family formed a task force
to create a blueprint for the school’s future. The task force
envisioned what the school would be like in 25 years and worked to
create its master plan. The campaign has raised $6 million to
date from alumni, past and current parents and grandparents, area business
leaders and others.
“The
support we have received has been phenomenal,” said Keller. “Our
present and future students will reap the benefit of this outpouring
of resources from our community.”
# # #
Editor’s note:
(From
left) St. John Vianney High School student Brian
Kelly joins Fr. Tim Kenney, S.M., director
of education for the Society of Mary, and fellow student Vince Borkowski in blessing the new $5.5 million Vianney Fieldhouse & Commons on
Oct. 8, 2006.
The new $5.5 million