Phase II Campaign ~ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An important initiative is unfolding at McQuaid Jesuit -- Phase II of the Prepare To Soar capital campaign. The following is some background information in a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) format.

1. Briefly explain what this campaign is about.

The “Prepare To Soar” capital campaign is the result of McQuaid Jesuit’s current strategic plan that was updated in 2001. In 1997, McQuaid’s Board of Trustees developed a strategic plan that served as the impetus for a capital campaign. Called “Prepare To Soar”, the first phase raised more than $10,000,000 enabling the construction of our current Fine Arts building which opened in 2001. This wing features a multi-purpose auditorium and classrooms specifically designed for art and music classes. We also renovated our track, constructed a new concession stand, built a new outside athletic storage facility and added a sizeable number of practice fields. Phase I also allowed us to improve our technology for both academic and administrative purposes, and to increase our endowment.  Phase II immediately followed on the heels of the first phase of “Prepare To Soar” based primarily on the Board identified requirement to renovate and expand our existing athletic facilities (current gymnasium, locker room & a new field house), renovation of the Chapel and outside stadium bleachers.

2. What are the components of Phase II?

The following are the main projects of Phase II, some of which have already been completed:

• Gymnasium floor, lights and bleacher replacement and renovation (completed Summer 2002);
• Chapel renovation (completed September 2004);
• Outside stadium bleacher replacement (completed Summer 2004);
  
• A renovated and expanded locker room area in the rear of the existing gymnasium; the entire complex will be known as the Student Athletic Center (SAC);
• The construction of a new field house facility which will be part of the SAC;
• The Father Leon J. Hogenkamp, S.J., Endowment Fund for Faculty Professional Development.

3. Why is there the need for a new field house?

One of the goals of McQuaid’s Board of Trustees current Strategic Plan reads: “McQuaid Jesuit will work to insure excellence in athletic programs and opportunities for its students.” Furthermore, this project is necessary to carry out our Mission Statement, which states in part that “McQuaid Jesuit is committed to fostering the harmonious development of a young man’s God-given talents: spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally and aesthetically.”

4. Why is this initiative being taken at this time?

The following issues currently impact McQuaid’s ability to fulfill its mission of developing the whole person:

• Physical Education Issues: The daily schedule at times requires three simultaneous physical education classes when the current gym is designed for a maximum of two.  This results in occasional scheduling convergence of 7^th and 8^th grades and 9^th through 12^th grades physical education classes.
• Intramurals – they literally are non-existent today due to the utilization limitations of the current gym.
• Locker Room – many issues associated with a 50+ year facility which has changed little during that period of time.Team Sports Issues: The current gym is virtually at 100% capacity during prime hours; Practice space contention; The gym is not suitable for many current activities (e.g. baseball practice). More space will allow many of our students to practice right after school which in turn gives them more time to devote to their studies
• Handicap access to the school from the north parking lot.
• Non-Athletic Needs – there are significant limitations with the current size of the gym when there are general school Masses, assemblies, and other school events.
• Enrollment – athletic facilities and related programs are increasingly more of a factor in the decision process of where to attend high school 

Rough Field House Floor Plan (click for larger image).

Newest Official Field House Plans as of May 24, 2006 (click for pdf)

Newest Official Field House Elevations as of May 24, 2006 (click for pdf)

5. Please explain further the difference between the Student Life Center (SLC) and the field house?

The SLC incorporates the existing gym and locker room area as well as the new field house. The field house will be a new facility within the Student Life Center complex and will be approximately 21,000 square feet built on grade. It is to be utilized primarily for physical education classes as part of McQuaid’s overall academic program, a practice facility for interscholastic sports, and intramurals.

McQuaid Jesuit's new look on campus (click for larger image).

6. Where on the campus will the new field house be built?

The field house will be constructed in a direct line from the back of the existing gym towards Elmwood Avenue.

7. How will the current athletic fields and parking be impacted by this project?

There will be no impact on any of the existing athletic fields. Parking, however, will be changed and is planned to be the first phase of this project since the field house will be built on much of the existing rear parking lot.

There will be three new parking locations built as part of this project:

• Adjacent to the Hess Station on the Clinton Avenue side;
• In the front of the school between the existing traffic circle and the driveway coming into the rear of the school;
• An additional row of parking in front of Fischer Hall in between the existing parking and Clinton Avenue;
• There will be an overall net gain of approximately 20 parking spaces.

 8. Did the Town of Brighton have to approve this project?

Yes, this project was approved in its entirety on September 21, 2005 including a zoning variance for the parking changes.

9. Will the field house be a game venue?

The current John Ryan Memorial Gymnasium will continue to be the game venue for all sports such as basketball and volleyball. The new field house, as mentioned in FAQ #5 above, will be utilized for general physical education of all students, a practice facility for many interscholastic sports, and for intramurals.

10. What are the total funds required for these projects?

Approximately $9.3 million

11. How much has been raised to date?

Approximately $7.5 million

 
Architects' rendering of the outside of the Student Athletic Center .

12. Explain the difference between the  “Prepare To Soar” capital campaign and the Annual Fund.

The purpose of the “Prepare To Soar” campaign is to raise capital dollars to fund the projects outlined in FAQ # 2. The McQuaid Jesuit Fund, as its name suggests, is a yearly initiative running throughout the year and is our most important fundraising initiative. It includes the Alumni Fund, our parent “Bridge The Gap” campaign, tuition gifts, and gifts from graduate parents and other friends of McQuaid. The Annual Fund raises over $1.0M each year to help support the ongoing operations of McQuaid and to make up about half of the difference between our overall costs and what tuition provides. This fiscal year that difference (or gap) is almost $2M.

13. When is the renovation and construction going to start for the Student Athletic Center and what is the anticipated completion date?

Depending on the success of the capital campaign, we hope to begin the project no later than Spring, 2006 and be completed in the Summer/Fall of 2007.

14. If you are interested in more information please contact those listed below:

Jim Whelehan, President, Fr. Jim Fischer, Chancellor, and Bill Wynne, '64, Vice President for Advancement, are all available to answer any questions about the campaign.  Please contact them at 585-473-1130.