A new floor and scoreboard highlight the gym improvements, and Coulter Field has a new turf surface
By Dan McWilliams
Sacred Heart Cathedral School students are enjoying the benefits of a newly refurbished gymnasium/performing-arts center and a new turf surface on its athletic field behind the school.
The replacement of the gym floor is only part of the work done to that facility.
Sacred Heart Cathedral School eighth-graders (top photo, from left) Anna Doiron, Anna Maria Medlyn, Laurel Moss, and Milly King enjoy an outing on Coulter Family Playfield, which sports a new turf surface.
“Sacred Heart Cathedral School began renovations to the gym and performing arts center in the summer of 2023,” said Mary Mac Wilson, the parish’s chief operating officer. “We began with the turf field project, which provides a wonderful addition to our athletics, recess time, and gym classes. For the gym, we have renovated the rest rooms, locker rooms, and concession stand and added a new floor and scoreboards. We have a state-of-the-art audiovisual setup for drama and choral performances. Our mission is to educate the whole child spiritually, mentally, and physically. This project helps us to further highlight the whole child in the arts and on the fields and courts.”
The source of funds for the project came from the Sacred Heart Cathedral School Annual Fund, the Sacred Heart Cathedral Dinner, Dance, and Auction event, gym floor cross sales, and major donors, Mrs. Wilson said.
School principal Mary Sue Kosky is enthused about the project.
“When I began at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in the spring of 2022, I immediately understood this truth about Sacred Heart: it is an amazing place for students to grow and learn and come to know that God loves them completely and calls them to live in relationship with Him and in the community of the Body of Christ,” she said. “We accomplish this at SHCS through worship and prayer, our learning and studies, our service to those inside and outside of school, and through developing and sharing our gifts and talents with one another. The gym and performing-arts project is an exciting way to support our mission of developing students to their fullest potential and nurturing the whole child.
The surface has been replaced in the Sacred Heart Cathedral School gym.
“Together with supporting stakeholders, we set out to create and update these spaces where the children can develop their God-given gifts and talents. They can run, stretch their abilities as they compete, work together for common goals both artistic and athletic, and they can have fun. It has been such a joy to see how the turf field is bringing our community together in support of student athletics and community events such as our fall festival. We expect the completed, renovated gym will do the same—provide a wonderful space for gathering in unity and community for events both inside and outside the school day. What’s so amazing is that this project will enhance the educational experience of every single child on campus! What an incredible impact! We are so grateful to our donors and want to share the great news of the positive impact this project will have on all of our SHCS students and our parish and school communities.”
Elisa Crawford is Sacred Heart Cathedral School’s director of development.
Sacred Heart’s gym sports two new scoreboards to keep track of the Eagles’ basketball and volleyball point totals.
“We want everyone who walks through the gymnasium doors to feel welcomed, which is why I am most excited about the upgrades to the entrance,” she said. “It feels more open and inviting; just as Jesus opens His arms and invites us into His home, we want everyone to know they are invited in our home here at Sacred Heart Cathedral School. I can’t wait for our gym to be filled with the Light of Christ when our children and families come together for sporting events, musicals, and all the wonderful activities we have to look forward to.”
The turf field has been named the Coulter Family Playfield after its major donors: Tom and Mindy Coulter and their children, with their spouses. Tom and Mindy’s children attended Sacred Heart, and three of their grandchildren are currently enrolled there.
