KEARNEY — In an effort to modernize their current facilities, a public fundraising campaign has begun for the Kearney Catholic Activities Complex project.
According to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation, the Miles Field athletic complex and locker rooms are dated and in need of attention.
“While we are proud of all our KCHS alumni have accomplished over the years with less-than-ideal conditions, it is not giving our students, fans and visitors the experience they deserve,” the KCHS Foundation stated.
Among other needs, there are no permanent restrooms at the football field and portable toilets cannot adequately accommodate the elderly or handicapped.
Fans with disabilities also struggle to access the current bleachers. The visiting side bleachers are also small and lack restrooms or a concession stand.
Lighting around the field is limited and is a concern as it becomes darker at game time. A recent upgrade of the lighting several years ago was helpful, but the surrounding gate and parking lot area remain generally dark.
The current visitor locker rooms are in the basement of the original gymnasium; they are not ADA compliant and haven’t been updated in 60 years, according to the KCHS Foundation.
The track is a gravel path which is unusable for track meets. “Our students get limited practice on the site and then are forced to go to other facilities at late hours to complete their event preparation,” the KCHS Foundation stated.
Due to the state of the full field and track, KCHS has been unable to host soccer and track events and has missed out on hosting 18 to 23 home games or meets a year. That number doesn’t account for junior varsity, middle school, or band events.
“We lack onsite, basic training facilities to help with athlete injuries during competition,” stated the KCHS Foundation.
In interviews with parents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, administrators and students, the athletic complex was mentioned more than any other issue regarding KCHS facilities.
There was a push to modernize the facilities that was gaining momentum in 2019-2020 but was sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the KCHS Foundation, KCHS administration, under the guidance of the consulting firm, Partners In Mission, lead a strategic planning process involving school leadership, staff, clergy, school families and the communities.
The athletics complex was identified as a major priority in the KCHS strategic survey, as it is an important, “front door,” for the community, the KCHS Foundation stated.
Having to access external facilities for track and safety concerns reignited the conversation for modernization in late 2022, early 2023.
The KCHS Foundation said that initial donor conversations indicated that they did not want “band-aid or half fixes,” to the outdoor facilities.
The ideal facilities that KCHS envisions include modern restroom facilities, bleachers to accommodate 1,000-1,500 fans, an eight-lane track, artificial turf on the football field, equipment storage, a machine shed under church property, concession stand, ADA accessible facilities and a field training room.
Regarding the proposal for artificial turf, the KCHS Foundation stated, “While a grass field can satisfactorily serve our teams for competitions, it limits our practice options and ability to maximize the entire property. With a grass competition field, very few practices are allowed on it in order to keep the grass from getting worn out.”
Regarding the timing of the project, KCHS Foundation noted, “The challenge is that everything the school does with capital projects has to be done with charitable giving, and there are many competing needs for a growing school. The school already has to cover its operating costs with less funding per-pupil than public schools receive, so you can understand that money is tight.”
The overall cost of the project, including contingencies, would be around $6.5 million.
“The exiting thing is we have an opportunity to make it happen now with your support,” the KCHS Foundation said.
Sara Homan, KCHS Foundation Director of Advancement, said that $3.5 million has been raised for the project in a three-month period. She said this indicated the support the project has received, so far.
The fundraising campaign is now shifting to a public phase, in which the KCHS Foundation will reach out to new supporters, alumni and engage with different grant opportunities.
The public fundraising campaign will last around six to 12 months, Homan said.
Homan said all involved with the project are dedicated to keeping the project under $6.5 million and noted any additional funds raised would go into a fund for future maintenance.
For those who are interested in donating to the project, they can reach out to the KCHS Foundation at 308-440-8331 or email kchsfoundation@kearneycatholic.org
The timeline for upgrading the facilities will be around 6-7 months, not counting the winter months when little activity can occur, the KCHS Foundation stated.
“The project will start when Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt is satisfied that we have raised enough funds to complete the project without placing a debt burden on the church and school. He has approved our fundraising outreach for the project,” the KCHS Foundation stated.
The KCHS goals for the facility are to improve opportunities for students to prepare for and excel in athletics, enhance the experience and safety of spectators and participants and build on the existing reputation as a quality educational institution, stated the KCHS Foundation.
The goals for the community use of the space in the future includes a welcoming and bureaucratic-free approach to making the space available to community organizations and county schools that require turf and track access.
Homan said they are excited not only to elevate the experience for KCHS but are committed to opening the space up for area schools and the community to use.
“We want this to be an asset to Kearney,” Homan said.