Louisville’s largest private high school plans a $6 million renovation and expansion project that would upgrade its library and media center.
Louisville Business First reports that St. Xavier High School has filed plans with Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services to renovate and expand the nearly 18,000-square-foot Callahan Media Center, which has received only minor renovations since its construction more than 40 years ago.
The center opened in 1973. "It was very innovative in design at the time with lots of space for students to explore research on their own and be guided into learning," school president Perry Sangalli says.
The renovation plan calls for a complete reconfiguration of the existing media center and an addition that will include a new student commons gathering space.
The media center would be connected to the school's main classroom building, and a new drop-off area would be created at the school’s main entrance, according to the plans.
The exterior of the media center will change from its rectangular, boxy look to a modernized design that emphasizes glass and natural light.
The school plans to raise the $6 million needed through a capital campaign. Sangalli says no school reserves or operational budget allocations will be used. The hope is that the bulk of the funds would be raised in time for a spring 2020 construction start. Work will then take 15 to 18 months.
St. Xavier completed an indoor golf center and a $2.1 million renovation of its cafeteria, kitchen and dining hall about two years ago. The school has an enrollment of 1,330 students.
