FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Local high school, Bishop Dwenger, has announced that they have initiated two new projects to improve their campus. The plans include a stadium and a Performing Arts Center.
The preliminary design for their own stadium include bleachers on the home side that would accommodate 2,500 fans, a larger press box and visitor bleachers that will seat 500 people. Underneath the bleachers will be a new concessions area, larger bathrooms and possibly two team rooms. Also planned is a new entrance that will feature a ticket booth as well as update the fencing that surrounds the stadium. This new facility will allow Bishop Dwenger to host football games, men and women’s soccer teams, rugby and lacrosse. Also benefiting from the new stadium is The Marching Band and Color Guard. The stadium project is projected to cost just under $2 million and is expected to be open in early fall.
The plans for the performing arts center will be a much longer process. At this point, the school uses their gymnasium for everything however, they are looking into purchasing the vacant Holiday Theater located off of North Clinton Street behind Northcrest Shopping Center. One side of the building would become the auditorium that should house 300-400 people. The other side will be a multi-purpose facility for activities, practices and special events. Between the two sides will be a reception gathering place. The new performing arts center will benefit the music and theater departments. Preliminary cost of the theater remodel could potentially be $3-5 million.
The school is saying that the stadium will likely be completed before the theater as there is still much planning and research that needs to be done for the theater. Bishop Dwenger received two generous donations which are allowing the initiation of the projects. Katie Burns, Director of Development says “Yes, We are on the tail end of completing our last capital campaign, but we are confident there will be much interest from our alumni, as well as our current and past families, to ensure the success of these projects over time, just like they so generously supported this past campaign. Certainly, we are blessed with these two extremely generous donors who are making major contributions to these two projects, but we have lots of fundraising ahead of us.”
