Damn,that School looks like a prison;)
Posted on 04/14/2017 6:20:50 PM PDT by mdittmar
YAKIMA, Wash. -- After more than a century in central Yakima, St. Paul Cathedral School is moving.
Bishop Joseph Tyson confirmed Thursday that beginning in the fall, the school will be housed in existing classrooms on the campus of Holy Family Catholic Church at 56th Avenue and Tieton Drive.
“It’s a good idea for our parishes and our schools,” he said. “We’re giving a message all across the area that ‘We’re here for you.’ ”
The decision follows more than a year of study by a steering committee, which recommended that the school leave its present location at 12th and Chestnut avenues.
Tyson said enrollment is growing in Catholic schools both nationally and locally and the move will give St. Paul more room for the future. It also will mark the beginning of fundraising efforts for remodeling both the present St. Paul Cathedral School and St. Joseph/Marquette School in downtown Yakima.
When St. Paul Principal Heather Remillard informed parents Thursday that the move had been formally approved, she said the feedback was “very positive.”
The first St. Paul Cathedral School opened in 1914, while the present school was built in 1950. The three-story building has become costly to maintain, which is one reason for the move. Another is to accommodate population growth farther west.
The hope had been to secure a tenant to share the old St. Paul building, but one potential renter fell through and a replacement hasn’t been secured. While declining to identify the renter that had been considering the site, Tyson said the diocese will continue to use the building for religious classes.
The building St. Paul is moving to opened in 1963 as Holy Family School. After closing in 1971, it has been used for religious education programs. Some remodeling will be done before the fall, but any major changes are envisioned for later.
“We’re going to give folks time to settle into the new campus first,” Tyson said. “It may pinch a little like a new pair of shoes, but it will take a year to see what the needs are.”
He indicated, however, that security would be a high priority, including plans for a fence.
“We’re very excited,” Remillard said. “It’s sad to leave the building we all love, so there are some mixed emotions, but it’s very positive for our school.”
Parent Robert Roybal, whose seventh-grade son attends St. Paul, agreed with Remillard.
“I’m very pleased,” he said. “It’s better for the population out in West Valley, and it helps with the overcrowding at the school now.”
Tyson said the move marks the start of casting further attention on school facilities.
“In the bigger picture, we’re renewing Catholic education across the city,” he said.
He envisions two capital campaigns, forging partnerships with several local Catholic foundations to renovate St. Joseph/Marquette, modernize the present St. Paul school and remodel the building St. Paul will soon occupy.
A needs assessment will be launched at St. Joseph, looking particularly at replacing the portable buildings on the site with more permanent facilities.
Tyson views the long-range plans as “uplifting Catholic education, and at same time it will benefit everyone.”
He explained that Catholic schools complement rather than compete with public schools.
“We’re part of a rich matrix of education, and we rejoice when we see success in public schools,” he said. “I see it as greater biodiversity of educational opportunities.”
I count 4 stories in the main building. Add at least one more if you look at the adjacent building behind it.
Thanks. I was thinking that perhaps math wasn’t one of the stronger subjects at the school.
Hmm. They TOLD you the nuns lived up there. But did you ever find out what really went on on the 4th floor that they are now trying to pretend doesn’t exist?
By the way what’s the real story - is the school in a good area and they are looking to turn it over to a developer, or is it in a bad area that parents don’t want to go to any more.
It sounds like the new location is bad enough that the only new capital investment is going to be a security fence.
Don't tell anyone,but me and a buddy went up there,they never caught us,but we did get caught in another adventure;)
the real story - is,more families live west of the school,they are moving west,no renters for the old school yet.
The building in the rear is the gym and below it is the kitchen and lunchroom for the kids.
The building is well-worn and needs a lot of work to bring up to modern needs.
And I had to sneak up there to find that out.
Tyson treats pro-lifers like dirt. He is very political, and left-wing. Steer clear of him.
I know,just reminiscing about the old school.
“greater biodiversity of educational opportunities.”
Biodiversity.
Oy vey.
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