Construction Set To Begin At Loyola Academy

From Loyola Academy: Spring 2018 is just around the corner—and construction is about to begin on Phase One of Loyola Academy’s multiphase Campus Master Plan, which will transform our Wilmette campus with a state-of- the art pool, a gathering space inspired by the St. Ignatius Piazza in Rome and more. As our spring groundbreaking approaches, we’d like to introduce you to the world-class architectural design and construction firms that will be helping us realize our bold vision of a vibrant Jesuit faith and education center for the 21st century. After a rigorous review and selection process, we have joined forces with CannonDesign—an integrated global design firm with a dynamic team of architects, engineers and industry experts located in Chicago—and Valenti Builders, an award-winning construction management firm located in Northfield with a commitment to the values that are at the heart of our Jesuit mission.

“This is an exciting moment for the Loyola community as we begin to take the large- scale capital enhancements included in Phase One of our Campus Master Plan from concept to reality,” notes Building and Grounds Committee Chair Peter J. Broccolo ’74 of Wilmette, who previously guided the development of Loyola’s multiphase Campus Master Plan as chair of the Campus Master Planning Committee. “CannonDesign understands how important good design is to the human experience and to our school community,” he adds. “Their architects, designers, planners and engineers have been working since Fall 2017 to connect the school’s mission and long term vision to the designs for our new pool and piazza. Meanwhile, representatives from Valenti Builders are bringing their considerable expertise in preconstruction consulting and construction management to the table as they work with CannonDesign on project pricing, logistics and scheduling. We have great confidence in this team as we move into the final phases of preparation for our new pool, piazza and other Phase One capital enhancements.”

Valenti Builders’ Senior Superintendent Daniel A. Nowak ’83 of Libertyville has been on site at Loyola Academy since December 1, 2017, familiarizing himself with school operations and traffic flow patterns. “Dan Nowak has been working on what we call ‘campus continuity,’ which entails a thorough review of the way that Loyola staff and students currently use the campus,” explains Valenti Builders President Daniel J. Valenti ’01 of Kenilworth. “This will enable us to ensure that the campus will continue to function normally once construction begins. We have been working with Loyola Academy day in and day out as we finalize a construction logistics and phasing plan that puts safety first and minimizes the impact of construction on school and student activities, parking and traffic flow.”

According to Valenti Project Manager Jack Scapin ’98 of Mount Prospect, the first signs of construction will be visible in late May as the school year draws to a close. “We plan to complete the general site work—which includes the reconfiguration of the school’s drop-off and pickup lanes to ease traffic congestion, new asphalt parking lots with additional spaces, new stormwater detention systems and new campus lighting and landscaping—before students return to campus in August 2018 for the start of the academic year,” he notes. “Construction on the pool and piazza will commence in June 2018, with an anticipated completion date of August 2019.”

Learn more about our Spring 2018 groundbreaking and Phase One construction progress—as well as fundraising for our planned theater for the performing arts and other Campus Master Plan Phase Two capital enhancements—at www.goramblers.org.

Image Via Loyola Academy