The Regis School Celebrates Groundbreaking for Student Life Center

A big, cool, fun space that offers more possibilities to learn were some phrases used by The Regis School of the Sacred Heart students to express what the new Student Life Center meant to them. A ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off construction of The Regis School Student Life Center, a 27,000 square feet, multi-purpose facility located on the west side of the campus. When the facility opens in fall 2012, Regis boys will benefit from an indoor cafeteria, a gymnasium and weight room, an assembly area for celebrating Liturgy, special events, and for hosting music and drama productions, and additional instructional classrooms. Building a Legacy, the school’s Capital Campaign is in full swing to raise the estimated $ 6 million for the facility. The Student Life Center marks the fourth infrastructural milestone in Regis’ 20 year history of educating boys in the Sacred Heart tradition.

The groundbreaking celebration was cheered by many Regis parents, current and former Members of Board of Directors, benefactors, friends, students, faculty, and staff.  Most Reverend Vincent M. Rizzotto, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston blessed the construction site.  In her opening remarks, Dr. Nancy Taylor, Headmistress of The Regis School said, “The new construction about to begin will expand and reshape our campus…even more than that, the new Student Life Center will invigorate and better serve our faculty and students, preparing us all for the next generation.”

In acknowledging all donors, Mr. and Mrs. Kendal Miller, the Chairs for the Regis Capital Campaign expressed, “Cindy and I are profoundly grateful for the generosity and stewardship that is making the new Student Life Center at Regis a reality!” 

Reflections marked by nostalgia, gratitude, enthusiasm, and good wishes were offered by Mr. Jeff Manley, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Matthew Leibold, President of The Regis School Student Council, and Ms. Madeleine S. Ortman, Executive Director of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.  

Describing the Student Life Center as a transformational project for Regis students and families for decades to come, Mr. Jeff Manley, Chairman of the Board of Directors added, “This is not just a simple gym and student life center… it is where young men will be formed and learn how to apply the values of the Sacred Heart education to the competitive world they will have to navigate.”

Also, present to congratulate the Regis community were Mrs. Anne Storey Carty, Founding Headmistress of The Regis School; Sr. Kevina Keating, Superintendent of Galveston-Houston Catholic Schools; and Sr. Jan Dunn RSCJ, Headmistress of Duchesne Academy. The Regis Capital Campaign team members including Mrs. Anne Murphy and Mrs. Nicole McWhorter from DINI Partners, the fundraising consultants; Mr. Jay Carlton and Mr. Mike Gordy, President and Vice President of Sterling Structures, the contractor for the Student Life Center; and Mr. Mark Goulas, President of Goulas & Associates, the architect of the new facility, were excited to join the celebrations.

The Regis School currently educates 252 boys in Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle School educational programs. In 1991, the school’s first student body was originally housed in Holy Cross Lutheran Church on the southwest corner of Wirt and Westview Drives. In 1992, Regis moved to its present location at Westview and Antoine. In 1996, the Pavilion was built as a venue for athletic instructional programs and for after school sports. With its completion in 2002, the Kelley Building provided much needed additional classroom space for the Lower and Middle School programs. In 2011 the Pavilion was demolished to make way for the Student Life Center envisioned to accelerate the school’s growth in athletics and fine arts, and complement its strong academic foundation. Construction for this new facility commences today.