Construction on the new athletic center at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma is underway. Ground was broken in late August for the facility, which is part of a $16 million capital campaign, “Achieving Excellence,” at the coed high school. Padua, established in 1961, is a ministry of the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The 29,000-square-foot addition will be connected to the southwest corner of the school near Padua Stadium. It will include a 14,000-square-foot gymnasium space that will provide two full-size competition courts for practice and tournaments as well as space for about 1,300 spectators. There also will be locker rooms with space for Padua girls, Padua boys, visiting teams and officials, a sports medicine room, athletic department offices, bathrooms, a Bruins Shop kiosk and concessions for both the stadium and gym.
During the second phase of construction, the current gym will be renovated into a performing arts center for both vocal and instrumental instruction, performances and theatrical productions. The front of the facility, closest to the current lobby, will house a new vocal classroom and a new band room. The 1,500-square-foot vocal classroom will include an expanded fine arts office, storage areas and a ticket booth and concession space. The 2,500-square-foot band room will include a director’s office, new individual practice rooms and instrumental storage. The current band room and the current vocal classroom and office spaces located behind the stage will be renovated to create theatrical support spaces including a scene shop, costume design room and additional storage for the fine arts programs. Utilizing state-of-the-art acoustical design, the tiered 295-seat auditorium will include the expansion of the wings of the main stage, as well as an extended front stage. New lighting and sound systems will be installed to provide professional-level production experiences.
School officials said more than $12 million has been raised so far in the capital campaign, the largest in school history.
About half of the parking lot near the main entrance is still accessible, with parking directions varying, depending on the event — school day, evening or sporting events. Visitors should follow the signs and cones on campus or check the construction maps available on the school website.
Padua has 800 students in grades 9-12, and 13,000 alumni.