On June 29, Lourdes Building Our Future campaign leadership conducted an update session on the campaign.  At that session, a number of questions were submitted by the audience.  We’re pleased to provide the following answers for you. 

What is the plan for soliciting the additional 5M amount to reach our goal?

We will continue seeking major donor gifts, complete our efforts in working to secure alumni gifts and launch a Rochester Business Leader campaign. 

Do we have any money pledged by our Diocese?

Not for capital expansion at this time. 

If the money is not raised toward the 5M goal, will the building project be scrapped? 

Definitely not! So far we have raised pledges and money equal to $9.3 million, 25 acres of prime donated property, a $2 million pledge to be received upon completion of the $15 million campaign goal, and two groups that have shown keen interest in buying the two block downtown location. We will continue to move forward to a point of success. 

Will we continue to use the RCTC venue for our fall sport competitions?

Yes. – There are no plans in phase #1 for a competition playing surface. There are plans at the new site for practice fields for football, soccer, softball, baseball and marching band. 

What is the capacity for the Chapel?

The capacity is 150 people which would accommodate one whole class.   

Is the building handicapped access able?

Yes – the new Lourdes High School will meet all ADA requirements. 

Will the building of this complex affect the present cost of tuition?

Tuition dollars will not be used at any time, front end or back end, to finance the constriction of the new Lourdes High School.   

In the design shown, what constitutes Phase I and Phase II?  Will all three wings of the building be available from the start?

Yes, all three sections of the new building will be open and usable from the start.  Phase II presently includes adding additional gym space.  If however, construction cost are less than anticipated consideration would be given to including portions of phase II in the phase I configuration.    

The practice fields are listed as being included in Phase II of the campaign – what is the outlook of when Phase II will be completed?

The focus presently is on Phase I.  Because there have been several adjustments extending that timeline, timeline configuration for phase II has not been discussed. If construction costs for phase I are less than anticipated consideration would be given to including portions of phase II in the phase I configuration.    

If someone wrote a check for $6,000,000.00 today how quickly could the new building be completed?

It is estimated that the construction of the building will take from 20-24 months to complete.  We would also need time for the architects to complete all of the construction documents and for obtaining final approval from the Diocese of Winona regarding construction funding.  

With the incorporation of windows from CST, have the CST alumni been included in campaign efforts?

The gift of the windows comes graciously from the Rochester Franciscan Sisters.  While the windows were part of a chapel located on the College of Saint Theresa campus, any other connection to Lourdes High School is quite limited.  We do not see pursuing the CST alumni as a viable funding option.  

Would we be able to broaden the campaign to include an appeal to the entire Diocese? Catholic education in Rochester is important to all of South Eastern MN.  We would love to have Bishop Quinn very publicly endorse this project and make a diocesan appeal.

Bishop Quinn has publically and enthusiastically endorsed this project and participated in a commercial that LBOF used last winter.  The bishop talks openly and excitedly about this project during his visits all over the diocese.   

With the project schedule at risk for not meeting the Fall 2012 occupancy deadline, will you consider a winter transfer of the program, or would occupancy be extended until Fall 2013?

We would consider transferring the program at the earliest and most convenient time frame.  That is, the most convenient timeframe for transferring the program would be at the beginning/end of a semester.  If the new school construction was finished prior to the start of second semester, then we would strongly consider transferring the program at that time. 

With the current building orientation the back of the building will be facing the high traffic arteries – 19^th Street and Valleyhigh Drive.  Is there a concern that this will detract from the visibility and aesthetic nature of the new building?

No.  Consideration has been given to the architectural layout and materials used to create an aesthetically pleasing building from all perspective points of view.  From one point of view the entrances can clearly be seen, from another the chapel is the focal point, yet from this angle the classrooms can be seen.   

Is there any concern about the structural integrity of building so many flat roofs in our climate?

Flat roof are very common on all commercial & institutional building; current technology provides 25 – 30 year life. Sloped metal roof sections are being incorporated in limited areas (at the entry), but would be a significant additional cost for the rest of the building. 

What is the reasoning behind the present size of the Forum – should it be larger to accommodate a whole class?

The Forum will be able to hold an entire class given the class sizes we have presently.  The difficulty of fitting a whole class in the space will become a challenge as class sizes grow.  Given the costs of construction and anticipated class sizes for the next five to eight years the current size of the Forum will meet our needs.  Also, the auditorium can always be used for groups with larger numbers. 

Will there be an increase in staffing needs at the new building?

There will be different operational demands that the new building will have especially in terms of our heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.  Updated technological and security system will require properly educated and trained staff to operate and maintain them.  Other staffing requirements are based on the educational needs of student and enrollment size. 

The building seems to incorporate a number of open spaces – is there a concern that this will create sound pollution that will interfere with the learning environment?

Lourdes uses a modular scheduling system which requires of students a different set of behavior in and around classrooms.  Students pass quietly during passing time because other classes are in session.  This is the culture of Lourdes High School and we expect that culture to continue within the new building.  As such, we are able to open areas for better or improved lighting to create a warm and welcoming environment.

Lourdes Building Our Future Campaign Continues to Build Momentum

Those three words, “Building Our Future,” are individually powerful. But combined together, they give us the momentum to aspire to great ideas, to transcend the present and seize the future, and to collectively embark on a journey that will continue to preserve a legacy of catholic school education in Rochester.

2009 was an important year spent building the foundation of the capital campaign. We’ve spent time engaging our current families and alumni helping all to image the bright future for catholic school education. We have received a wealth of donations during this initial phase and have had many positive conversations with current families, alumni, faculty, students and staff about the vision for the new Lourdes High School. In the final months of 2009- we opened the Lourdes Building Our Future campaign to a wider audience, with the help of Bishop Quinn began to engage our local parishes.

We are optimistic we can achieve our campaign goal and remain on track with opening the doors to the new high school in 2012.  To date we have raised more than $9.3 million dollars, have created the architectural schematics and are now pleased to announce we are moving into the creation of construction blueprints. This important step will allow us to attain accurate measurements for the building and begin the critical RFP process that will enable us to begin construction next fall.

“If you have currently made your pledge to the Lourdes Building Our Future campaign, we are so greatful and want you to know that your dollars have enabled us to get to where we are to date,” said Dennis Nigon, President, Rochester Catholic Schools. “Now is the time that we need others to come forward and help us move to the project to completion. We need all current families, alumni and the wider Catholic community to help us. We are closing in on the $15 million dollar mark which is an important threshold that will move things along quickly with the goal of opening the doors in 2012,” said Nigon. In addition to raising the current funds, an anonymous donor has come forward, pledging an additional $2 million dollars once the $15 million dollar threshold has been reached.

The campaign will continue to reach out and spread the message in traditional and non traditional ways. A powerpoint presentation has been produced and is available for group gatherings and viewing. Please contact Dennis Nigon if you are interested in having someone come speak to your group. The Lourdes Building Our Future campaign has also bridged into the social networking world and has created a Fan page. If you are a facebook user, please consider adding yourself to the LBOF fan page.

The time is now to give to the Lourdes Building Our Future campaign. Please give now.

After celebrating nearly 120 years of providing exceptional education in our community, Rochester Catholic Schools is excited to announce the finalized design details for the new Lourdes High School. The unique campus configuration will provide over 165,000 square feet of academic, faith and extracurricular space that will inspire and enhance the student’s learning experiences.

“Rochester Catholic Schools has had a long history of providing outstanding education for our children,” said Denny Nigon, RSC President. “The new Lourdes High School has been designed for the future and will prepare students to think critically, globally and strategically for the 21st century and beyond,” said Nigon.

Technical and Environmental

Because the 21st century is rooted in technology and an understanding of global impact with decisions, success in today’s rapidly changing world will require a new level of knowledge and skills.

When the new Lourdes High School opens, Bill (LHS ‘51), and Carrie Adamson’s hearts will be filled with pride as they celebrate the fourth generation of Adamsons that will attend Lourdes High School.

“Having a Catholic school education has made a difference in my own life and has had a dramatic impact on the lives of our children,” said Bill Adamson. “As our four children went through Rochester Catholic School and in particular Lourdes High School, a very close sense of family and community evolves” reflects Carrie Adamson. “There is such strength in having a faith-based extended family as your children go through school. We are so happy that our children had and our grandchildren will be fortunate enough to have this same experience,” said Carrie.

When asked to reflect why the Burgart family chose to send their three children through RCS, Julie and Larry point out the importance of providing every day faith formation in school. "We are called as Christians to love, nurture and educate our children in ways that reflect our Christian beliefs," said Julie Burgart. "We followed this belief by having our children receive their education at Holy Spirit and Lourdes High School."

When Kevin Nigon, recalls his memories of Rochester Catholic Schools and his experience at Lourdes High School, he remembers the foundational influence the experience provided to him and his wife Ann (Macken) Nigon. "We received an excellent education with foundational grounding that applied to the larger context of life that has influenced who we are today," Nigon said.

The Nordman family is a typical busy and active family of six with children at St. Francis of Assisi and Lourdes High School. They run from activities ranging from piano and guitar to SEMYO, hockey, basketball, soccer and girl scouts.

“We are a busy family,” confirms Melanie Nordman, “ As parents, we are responsible to nurture our children’s interests but most importantly provide and lead our kids in faith. We want our children’s faith to be alive and present in all that they do. Sending them to Catholic schools makes that constant connection possible,” said Nordman. She emphasizes being surrounded by teachers and a school environment where faith is present, witnessed and lived out every day is an atmosphere that’s hard to put a price tag on.

In his 36 years of leading Lourdes High School music department, Gene Eiden has many fond and cherished memories of what he calls his large extended family.  He can’t help but smile as he remembers how the band had to walk 4 blocks in order practice marching. “I think we were the best street marching band around because we really had to work before, during and after our practices.”

He also recalls the point in time when his students needed to cross a shallow creek when the foot-bridge was under repair. “There was one French horn player who always wore heels,” Eiden shared. “She had quite the time getting across that stream,” he laughs.

The Lourdes Building Our Future capital campaign is excited to announce architectural and pledge milestones ensuring that current and future generations will be able to receive Catholic school education in Rochester.

Thanks to the generosity of many, the campaign has raised more than $10.5 million dollars to date. “There continues to be tremendous excitement and interest about the new Lourdes High School,” said Rochester Catholic Schools President, Dennis Nigon. “As we build for our future, we recognize and celebrate the vision of our greater Rochester Catholic School community who has made the commitment to support building a new Lourdes High School.”

By the end of July, the architectural design development of the new high school will be complete. These schematics are a critical piece in the timeline, as the details will serve as the roadmap to begin construction. “ATS&R has done a fantastic job going over the needs of our students not only for today’s world but lending insight into the needs of our students of tomorrow,” confirmed Nigon.