CAMPAIGN CHRONICLES – May 2025:
Padua Announces $16 Million Capital Campaign – Achieving Excellence
Padua Franciscan High School announced a $16 million capital campaign, Achieving Excellence, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – the largest fundraising effort in the school’s 64-year history. We’re thrilled to share that the campaign has raised $11.2 million thus far.
The campaign, which endeavors to construct a new athletic center and transform the current gym into a dedicated performing arts center, has been privately gaining momentum since 2024.
Message from President Dave Stec '86
New Construction: Padua Athletic Center
This new 29,000-square-foot athletic center will be connected to the southwest corner of the school near Padua Stadium. The facility will include a 14,000-square-foot gymnasium space that provides two full-size courts for practice and tournament competitions. It will hold approximately 1,300 spectators. The additional 15,000-square-foot space will include a grand concourse for entrance, which will house a ticketing booth, lavatory facilities, a Bruin Shop kiosk and a concession stand for both stadium and gym venues. Also, four locker rooms will be constructed, providing a space for Padua girls, Padua boys, visiting teams, and officials. A sports medicine room, as well as the athletic department offices, will be relocated to this space.
Renovated Center for Performing Arts
During the second phase of construction, the current gymnasium will be renovated into a performing arts center for both vocal and instrumental instruction, performances and theatrical productions. The front of the facility, closest to our current lobby, will house a new vocal classroom and a new band room. The 1,500-square-foot vocal classroom will include an expanded Fine Arts office, storage areas, and a ticket booth and concession space. The 2,500-square-foot band room will include a director’s office, new individual practice rooms, and instrumental storage. The current band room and the current vocal classroom and office spaces located behind the stage will be renovated to create theatrical support spaces including a scene shop, costume design room, and additional storage for the fine arts programs. Utilizing state-of-the-art acoustical design, the tiered 295-seat auditorium would include the expansion of the wings of the main stage, as well as an extended front stage. New lighting and sound systems will be installed to provide professional-level production experiences.
Padua President Dave Stec ’86 made the announcement in Padua’s Gym at the campaign kickoff event that also honored Padua’s campaign contributors and leadership volunteers.
“We are very excited about this future vision for Padua, especially as it will add a new building to our campus for the first time in the school’s history. The initiatives supported in this effort will drive Padua forward and keeps us at the forefront of providing an outstanding Franciscan educational experience,” said Stec. “We are eternally grateful for our alumni, current families, board of trustees, campaign leadership team and the friends of Padua who are supporting this campaign.”
Click here to read more about the Capital Campaign.
Thank You to Our Lead Investors
Click here to see who has already supported the Achieving Excellence campaign.
Support the Capital Campaign
For more information or ways to support this project, please contact Vice President of Advancement Tony Shuman '91 at 440.845.8224 x251 or President Dave Stec '86 at 440.845.2444 x120.
