MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Opus Design Build, L.L.C. announced today that it was awarded a contract by Saint Thomas Academy to design and construct a new 95,000-square-foot student activities center at the school’s campus in Mendota Heights, Minn. Opus AE Group will serve as the architect and structural engineer for the project.
“We’re honored to have been selected by Saint Thomas Academy as its partner to work on this project that will enhance the academic and athletic experiences for the cadets,” said Craig Larson, vice president, Opus Design Build, L.L.C.
The student activities center will feature two large gymnasiums, including a competition gym with retractable bleachers capable of seating 1,600 spectators, and an auxiliary gym with two basketball courts reserved for practice and physical education classes.
Below the gymnasiums, the student activities center will house a fitness and weight room, a wrestling room and locker rooms. The lower level also will include a large team meeting room, health education classrooms, and offices for coaches and physical education instructors.
The new facility will be connected to the existing main school building by a new two-story structure complementary in design with a brick exterior. The first story will feature the school store and classroom space, while the second level will be reserved for art studios, choir and band rooms, and music practice rooms. Additionally, this new space will function as the main entrance for athletics and other events and will feature a glass exterior allowing for maximum daylight.
“The Saint Thomas Academy community is excited by this Defining Moment in our school’s history,” said Dr. Thomas Mich, headmaster of Saint Thomas Academy. “The design developed by Opus masterfully meets our functional needs while blending with – and enhancing – our existing facilities aesthetically. We’re confident that our long-standing relationship with Opus will be reaffirmed through the construction and completion of the new student activities center.”
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at Saint Thomas Academy on April 24, and the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2013.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of national commercial real estate companies headquartered in Minneapolis, with expertise in development, project management and construction, architecture and engineering, finance, sales and leasing. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and Opus Holding, Inc. and their operating subsidiaries, Opus Development Corporation, Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, Inc. Specializing in office, industrial, retail, residential living, institutional and government projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com.
“We’re honored to have been selected by Saint Thomas Academy as its partner to work on this project that will enhance the academic and athletic experiences for the cadets,” said Craig Larson, vice president, Opus Design Build, L.L.C.
The student activities center will feature two large gymnasiums, including a competition gym with retractable bleachers capable of seating 1,600 spectators, and an auxiliary gym with two basketball courts reserved for practice and physical education classes.
Below the gymnasiums, the student activities center will house a fitness and weight room, a wrestling room and locker rooms. The lower level also will include a large team meeting room, health education classrooms, and offices for coaches and physical education instructors.
The new facility will be connected to the existing main school building by a new two-story structure complementary in design with a brick exterior. The first story will feature the school store and classroom space, while the second level will be reserved for art studios, choir and band rooms, and music practice rooms. Additionally, this new space will function as the main entrance for athletics and other events and will feature a glass exterior allowing for maximum daylight.
“The Saint Thomas Academy community is excited by this Defining Moment in our school’s history,” said Dr. Thomas Mich, headmaster of Saint Thomas Academy. “The design developed by Opus masterfully meets our functional needs while blending with – and enhancing – our existing facilities aesthetically. We’re confident that our long-standing relationship with Opus will be reaffirmed through the construction and completion of the new student activities center.”
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at Saint Thomas Academy on April 24, and the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2013.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of national commercial real estate companies headquartered in Minneapolis, with expertise in development, project management and construction, architecture and engineering, finance, sales and leasing. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and Opus Holding, Inc. and their operating subsidiaries, Opus Development Corporation, Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, Inc. Specializing in office, industrial, retail, residential living, institutional and government projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com.
About Saint Thomas Academy
Founded in 1885, Saint Thomas Academy is an all-male, college preparatory, Catholic, military/leadership school committed to preparing young men to succeed in college and in life. Nationally accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the academy challenges young men to excel academically, spiritually, morally and physically in and out of the classroom. For more information, please visit www.cadets.com.
Founded in 1885, Saint Thomas Academy is an all-male, college preparatory, Catholic, military/leadership school committed to preparing young men to succeed in college and in life. Nationally accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the academy challenges young men to excel academically, spiritually, morally and physically in and out of the classroom. For more information, please visit www.cadets.com.