By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
The Stevens Point Area Catholic School system is entering the public phase of its capital campaign, "Renewing the Commitment," to raise $1.7 million.
The campaign features four projects for funding, $830,000 to renovate the Faith, Arts and Community Center (original gymnasium) at Pacelli High School; $280,000 to replace all the original windows in Pacelli; $90,000 to install an elevator car at Pacelli; and $500,000 to create an endowment for enhancing teacher salaries in all SPACS schools.
Between now and March, parents of students in the SPACS system will be contacted regarding donations. That will be followed by phases for alumni and parents of alumni between February and April and business/friend and parishioners between March and May.
Greg Hansel, president of SPACS, said the campaign earmarks completion of some projects begun when SPACS constructed an addition to Pacelli in 1994 and constructed the elementary school at St. Bronislava Parish in Plover.
The old gymnasium has become a multipurpose facility, used for fine arts performances, dances, bingo and other activities, and Hansel said SPACS wants to use the facility for that and more.
The facility already is used for Christmas concerts and other concerts by all SPACS schools, and Hansel said, "We have had other fine art groups use it."
The renovation will include an art gallery in the entrance area to the facility to feature students' work. A sound and light booth will be constructed above the gallery.
A wall will be constructed at the south end of the gallery area and on the other side of the wall the portable theatrical seating will be installed more permanently for presentations.
Acoustical sound clouds and wallboards will be added in the ceiling area. Experts came in and tested the facility, Hansel said, and felt the sound clouds and wallboards would be the best treatment rather than a new ceiling.
The stage area will be gutted and receive new riggings, curtains, electrical work, a new floor and a portable band shell.
He said two restrooms will also be added behind the stage where a smaller stage storage area was located.
The regular Pacelli bingo on Sunday nights and dinners, such as the chicken and fish meals during Panacea, will continue to be held there because the theater seats retract into a compact area.
Pam Owens, director of development and alumni relations for SPACS, said the school has rented light and sound equipment for past performances but the campaign will fund purchases of that equipment.
The windows in the building are approximately 45 years old and will be replaced not only for energy efficiency but also for structural soundness.
An elevator shaft for Pacelli was included in the 1994 project, but the elevator car, to serve staff, students and visitors with handicaps and disabilities, was left out after cost of the $2.3 million project grew to $2.6 million.
The endowment fund, Hansel said, was added after some community listening sessions.
"Normally, endowments aren't supported," Owens said. "The community here said something else, they wanted to start with $500,000 which they said isn't enough but it's a start."
Owens said that in the pilot phase of the campaign, donors were interested in the endowment aspect to bring wages and benefits to a just level to help retain and attract staff.