St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron is holding an Open House today from 4:30-7:00 on its proposed $3.7-million replacement of the century-old 21,000-square foot multi-story former Assumption Academy Building with a new 8,000-square single-story Parish Life Center.
The parish is in the midst of the public phase of a $1.9-million dollar capital campaign for the project, Cherishing Our Home, Building Our Future. Tonight’s Open House is in the Assumption Arena with hors d’oeuvres provided by the church and a cash bar by the Knights of Columbus
Pastor Father Todd Phillipsen says the building has served as the Parish Center since the school closed in 1970, but an internal review over a decade ago concluded it no longer meets the needs of the church.
Father Todd says the proposed new center would actually have more usable space and be more energy-efficient, a major cost saving, with classrooms, offices, a kitchen, and showers that would allow it to double as a shelter during local emergencies.
It would incorporate the archway main entrance to the Assumption Academy, and Father Todd says part of the old Academy grounds would become an outdoor gathering space.
St Patrick’s parish has $1.8-million in reserves for the project and most of the $1.9-million capital campaign would come from members, but Father Todd thinks there could be strong community contributions as well.
Randy and Ann Burk are the honorary chairs of the capital campaign, backed by a strong leadership team.