CHARLOTTE — The Holy Trinity Middle School campus has gone through a major transformation this summer. The campus, which once housed Charlotte Catholic High School, was in need of an overhaul to better meet the needs of the staff, students and families who frequent the school during the academic year.
Most noticeable from the outside is the stadium and roadway project, which involved building approximately 600 feet of retaining wall adjacent to the athletic field along Park Road. It was built to accommodate more on-campus parking and to allow for more traffic lanes to help with carpool flow during the busy morning and afternoon time frames.
A total of 124 parking spaces are now available for staff and visitors – an increase of nearly 50 spaces. Three carpool lanes, instead of two, are set to open Aug. 24 and 25 when students return to campus.
Other campus repairs include new sidewalks alongside the Mercy building to replace older, narrow sidewalks that were in need of repair. The entrance to the Mercy building and the administration building also received a facelift.
The Holy Trinity sports stadium is also undergoing a transformation. It will house a new press box and bleacher seating for over 300 spectators.
A private donor primarily funded the stadium expansion and roadway improvements.
The diocesan Properties Office said it hopes to have the roadway infrastructure in place for use by Aug. 24. Any remaining items pertaining to the stadium are slated to be completed by late October.
Another project to expand the Student Activity Center, which houses the gymnasium and cafeteria, was recently completed. Begun last year, the up-fit work included an addition to the gymnasium building that features a wider staircase and elevator for improved handicapped accessibility; larger, brighter lobby; renovated restrooms; and improved concessions area.
The renovation also included improvements on the ground floor. Students now have double the space inside the cafeteria for lunch periods, as well as new canvas awnings outside to offer a shady spot to eat lunch. There are also new restrooms adjacent to the cafeteria.
The $1.5 million renovation by Edison Foard Construction was funded through the MACS Capital Fund.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School sponsored a week-long service trip in June to Tizimi, Yucatan, Mexico. Forty students, along with six parents and teachers, joined for a mission to the land of the Maya.
The students taught English in a local school, taught Bible stories to the Maya children, painted houses and built a classroom out of earth bags for the local village.
“We had a time for reflection each night, and although each personal experience was different, I was extremely impressed with the students desire to serve,” said Martin Mata, the school’s campus ministry leader.
The Bishop McGuinness student body has served the Triad community with more than 10,000 hours of service this past school year.
— Photos provided by Kimberly Knox
