By Emily McCann
1909. The M&A Building finished construction. 1941. The Donnelly Building was added as the second building on the Windmoor. 1982. The Goppert Center was completed as a place to promote STA athletics. February 2, 2012. The Windmoor Center was dedicated by Bishop Robert Finn as the fourth and final building on campus.
The completion of the Windmoor Center marks the end of a process beginning more than a year and a half a go. STA parent and architect, Tony Rohr began designing almost a year before construction began. The original plans placed the chapel south of the Donnelly building, where the sophomore parking lot is currently located. According to STA president Nan Bone, finding the ideal location took time.
“The design team continued to move the location around,” Bone said. “We kept going back to what students and teachers said they wanted. They said feminine, brick and rounded without harsh lines that wouldn’t block the view of the campus.”
The final blueprint depicted a building that drew inspiration from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The metal lace from A. Zahner Company was inspired by a piece of lace given to President Nan Bone by the sisters in 2007. According to Bone, the idea was originally treated with skeptism.
“The idea for the lace came from the only female architect on the design team,” Bone said. “She brought it to the team and they presented it to us. We were skeptical at first but after seeing mock ups and samples, we were on board.”
Groundbreaking for the Windmoor Center took place March 23, 2011 even though funding for the building wasn’t complete. According to Bone, the school has still not raised all the money to pay for the chapel.
“We have to borrow money off the pledges we recieve,” Bone said. “We have made the last payment to the construction company but the bottom line is we are still a little short on pledges. [The administration] will be meeting with donors soon to discuss naming rights and other fundraising opportunites.”
Construction began promptly after the groundbreaking, beginning with the dismantling of the grotto on April 7 and continued through the summer and through the fall of 2011. Early construction began with the drilling of geothermic wells. These wells are an alternative to air conditioning and while initially more expensive they will pay themselves back according to Bone.
“There are 21 geothermal wells dug 450 feet deep into the earth,” Bone said. “The depth allows the wells to heat and cool the chapel. [Geothermal wells] are cost more up front but within ten years they will pay us back completely.”
The chapel was completed in early January after 300 days of construction. The Windmoor Center features four high tech classrooms with audio and video conferencing capabilities, wall to wall magnet dry erase boards, and a study space for students.
“We had lots of focus meetings to determine what people wanted in the chapel,” Bone said. “Students can conference with students from halfway around the world. That’s pretty neat.”
The campus ministry team also has plans for the new chapel space. Besides weekly class masses, Mrs. Lynn O’Leary will be leading prayer and meditation every Tuesday and Thursday.
Mrs. Robin Good’s spirituality class will also use the chapel for meditation on Wednesdays. According to Bone the chapel could also have uses for alumnae masses and receptions and parent gatherings. Bone believes the chapel can be a nice getaway for students.
“[Students] are so stressed during the day,” Bone said. “Spending time in the chapel will help refresh student’s mind, soul, and body,”
Overall, Bone believes the construction project was a success.
“[This building] really represents St. Teresa’s”, Bone said. “It’s very special to us, no other school could have a chapel that speaks this much about our heritage. I love that it’s dedicated to our founders. Everything about it exceeded my expectations.”
