St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., has tapped The Opus Group for its 41,500-square foot expansion and renovation project.
The Minneapolis-based Opus will design and build a 31,500-square foot expansion for the school’s Butler Center that will feature separate varsity locker rooms and lounge space, a cardio room with fitness equipment, a dance studio, and a one-story, multipurpose training center. The front entrance will also be redesigned as a controlled access point to improve security.
Another 10,000 square feet of space will be added to the adjacent Fontbonne Hall, creating more classroom space.
The work is set to begin this month. The Fontbonne Hall portion of the project is expected to wrap up by the fall semester while the rest of the work is tentatively scheduled for completion by February 2015.
St. Catherine University is the largest college for women in the nation. It also offers graduate and associate programs for women and men.
“The Fontbonne Hall and Butler Center renovations encompass our mission of cultivating an innovative spirit and providing a premier baccalaureate college for women. They will also enhance our relationship with the local community,” Thomas Rooney, the university’s vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, said in a press release.
“This project provides us a unique opportunity to advance new innovative academic programs, enhance our vibrant campus life, and fulfill objectives within our 2020 Vision Strategic Plan while allowing the university to benefit from historically low debt financing rates,” Rooney added.
