|
McGuinness Campaign Needs A Final Boost
The good news is the capital campaign which will transform the 50-year-old Bishop McGuinness High School into a modern center for Catholic education is drawing near completion. The bad news, or rather the very real challenge facing the campaign, is a fast approaching mid-October deadline to reach its goal. What this means, according to campaign leaders, is that Oklahoma Catholics who support the Church’s education ministry must realize that a strong sense of urgency exists and they must act now. “I think the message we need to convey to the Catholic community is that if you are planning to contribute, time is of the essence” said Tom Casso, co-chair of the campaign. “We are currently $1.4 million short of our goal and there is no time to wait. If we are to bid our project and begin construction over the Christmas holidays, we must have commitments in place in the next 60 days.” Casso and McGuinness Principal David Morton said the school’s “Building Faith” capital campaign, which kicked off last September, is at 76 percent of its goal. Some 600 gifts and pledges have been received thus far, boosting the campaign to $6.1 million. Once the campaign hits $7.5 million, Archbishop Beltran has pledged an additional $500,000 gift from the Archdiocese. This would bring the total to the $8.0 million mark and would open the door for the construction bid process to begin. The final $1.5 million of a $9.5 million construction budget would come from ADF plus contributions and anticipated long-term financing. The mid-October deadline is critical in that it would allow the process to move forward as planned, causing minimal disruptions to the school year. It would also help keep estimated construction costs in line with current projections. “If we don’t make the October deadline, it means everything will have to be delayed,” Morton said. “Missing the deadline would mean a June start date and additional costs associated with the rising cost of both building materials and borrowing money. A delay such as this could realistically add an additional $500,000 to $600,000 cost to the overall project.” Archbishop Beltran said the campaign needs the support of many. “I wish to thank all those who have made a generous commitment to the capital campaign of Bishop McGuinness High School,” Archbishop Beltran said. “I hope and pray that we will reach our goal and therefore I ask every Catholic to make some contribution to this important ministry of Catholic school education.” McGuinness officials have been busy planning for the new school year, all while making plans for the massive construction project. Over the summer renovations have included the relocation of restrooms in the West wing and re-partitioning several classrooms to create temporary space for students, as well as administration during construction. Morton said, “This route was chosen because it saves on having to bring in expensive portable classrooms and restroom facilities.” Meyer Architects have received approval of the Education Center design development concepts and are currently preparing construction documents for bid and construction purposes. If the campaign goals are realized, that process will be put into motion by the end of the year. Principal Morton said, “Meeting the October deadline would not only put construction on target, it would also send a clear message that McGuinness is willing to compete with the major capital improvements being undertaken at both private and public high schools in the Oklahoma City area.” He added, “McGuinness gives no ground when it comes to academic excellence, but it has a difficult time measuring up when potential students and parents compare education facilities. It’s also difficult to justify the high cost of maintenance required to keep a 50-year-old facility operational.” Sister Stephanie Sanchez, a member of the McGuinness faculty, said the campaign is an opportunity “for the faith community to make a significant commitment to the ongoing faith development of young people. “Oklahoma City has two Catholic high schools,” Sister Stephanie said. “Not five, six or more as some cities. The work of faith that we strive to engage in here at McGuinness cannot help but be enhanced by a new facility. Just as our chapel gave us a beautiful, quiet place for prayer, so too will our new building be a place to continue to explore faith,” she said. The success of the campaign, Sister Stephanie said, will be “a testimony to the community’s faith in God and the desire and challenge to share this faith with both old and young into the future.” Casso concluded by saying, “When you look at a project like this, you have to consider the far reaching impact it will have on our Catholic community and our city for many years to come. An investment in the future of Bishop McGuinness High School is an investment in tomorrow’s business, professional and community leadership.” With an enrollment of 658 students, McGuinness is the largest Catholic High School in the Archdiocese. |
