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New Athletic Center Strengthens Midtown's Duchesne Academy
Call it a symbol of vitality, a brick and mortar tribute to the energy coursing through a 125-year-old campus. Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart blessed and dedicated its new athletic center late last month, the latest in a series of renovation and construction projects rejuvenating the Midtown mainstay.
The athletic center includes a new training and conditioning room, upgraded and expanded locker rooms, and the 1400 sq. ft. Dennis Martin Physical Fitness Center that boasts all new state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The athletic center also houses new coaches' offices, increased bleacher seating and concession space.
Steady growth triggered the need for the new center. In the last 12 years, Duchesne's enrollment has grown from 170 young women to the current enrollment of 275. During that same time, the school has doubled its number of competitive teams and increased the coaching staff and athletic budget. Over 55 percent of Duchesne students compete on one of ten athletic teams; all students are required to complete four years of physical education as part of their academic program.
"An updated athletic center was needed to support the athletic teams and physical education program in order to remain competitive and provide all the young women of Duchesne with an athletic center that will help them develop life-long healthy lifestyles," said Sheila Haggas, Duchesne's Head of School.
The blessing of and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility was held on Monday, Nov. 24. Monsignor James Gilg, Superintendent of Schools for the Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha, presided over the blessing. Speakers included Haggas; Dede Meyer Johnson, an alumna and co-chair of the 125th Anniversary Capital Campaign; Senator Ben Nelson and Elaine Martin, also an alumna. Her gift to the capital campaign funded the Dennis Martin Fitness Center, named in honor of her late husband.
In planning the new center, the school asked the design team to create a look that would give visitors a sense of Duchesne's 125-year history and "emulate our grand old historic buildings," explained Haggas. The goal, she added, was achieved.
"The new athletic center reflects the tradition and history of our school with beautiful woodwork in the lobby and throughout the building along with historic photographs that give visitors a glimpse into our past."
Alumnae, trustees and friends of Duchesne donated and pledged more than $4 million to fund the athletic center improvements and the 2007 renovation of the school's third floor. That project created a new art department and state-of-the-art science labs and classrooms.
When the academy first opened at 3601 Burt St. 125 years ago, "state-of-the-art" described useable electricity, light bulbs and telephones. A lot has changed since then -- but the school's Midtown address has remained the same. As recently as the late 1980s, the Duchesne Board of Trustees and the Religious of the Sacred Heart considered moving the school "out west." But, in 1993, the decision was made to stay in the historic Gold Coast neighborhood and continue serving as an anchor in Midtown.
"In the 15 years following the decision to stay in our original location, Duchesne's enrollment has doubled, and we have invested over $13 million in campus improvements. We are at maximum enrollment of 275 students from 40 different ZIP codes."
Duchesne Academy is a Catholic, four-year, college-preparatory school for young women. It is one of 21 schools across the United States making up the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. To learn more view Duchesne Academy's 2008 - 2009 Profile or visit their Web site.