Kearney Catholic Foundation Campaigns

In 2022, the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation and the Kearney Catholic High School Administration led a strategic planning process involving school leadership, staff, clergy, school families and the community.

The purpose was to take an honest look at our strengths, as well as the opportunities to better address the needs of our students, staff and families. This strategic plan is a road map to navigate our way to an even more vibrant and valuable Catholic School.

PROJECT GOALS

Goals and objectives were created for eight different domains within the school, and we are moving forward to address the top priorities for each. In the facilities domain, the top priority identified by the community survey process was creating excellent and safe outdoor facilities for students, and the school leadership approved this as the first project within that domain of the strategic plan.

Build on the existing reputation as a quality educational institution

Enhance the experience and safety of spectators and participants

Provide others in the community and area a place to be active, practice & compete

Improve opportunities for students to prepare for and excel in activities

Support the Rising Stars of Tomorrow

Choose your level of support, whether you're a Kearney Catholic alum or a dedicated fan, and join us in building a winning legacy for Kearney Catholic through the construction of a new track and football field. To donate, print out the form here or Venmo us for a one time gift at @kchsfoundation. To learn more about larger gift opportunities, fill out the information form and a campaign chair will call you.

Out of the Blocks

$100
x
5 years
=
$500

Medalist

$250
x
5 years
=
$1,000

Letter Winner

$1,000
x
5 years
=
$5,000

Track Star

$5,000
x
5 years
=
$25,000

VIEW STARS STADIUM BROCHURE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It depends on how much money can be raised. Ideally, it will include updated bleachers, modern restrooms, storage, an eight lane track and a turf field. The site can fit all of these amenities.

Where does one start! 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.

To begin with, our track students cannot adequately prepare for competitions in race-like conditions. 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. Fans with disabilities struggle to access the bleachers. There are no permanent, modern restrooms. We lack onsite, basic training facilities to help with athlete injuries during competition. We are unable to host home soccer games. Our available practice fields are limited.

There isn’t one clear answer to this because there are variables, including how many amenities we choose, but we do know a range. To include everything listed in our ideal scenario, the cost will range from $6m-$6.5m.

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. In addition to his spiritual leadership for our diocese, Bishop Hanefeldt has an important responsibility to ensure that we are being good stewards on the “business” side of the church. Once Bishop Hanefeldt gives us approval we can move fairly quickly, weather permitting. The sooner we start the more money we save and the more likely it will be ready for Fall 2024.

That depends most on weather and what all will be built on the site, but projects like this can range from 6-7 months once it is begun (not counting winter months when little activity can occur).

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. For example, the band cannot practice on a field that properly simulates their field show competitions. Ideally, the band would compete on a football field with clear yardage lines so band members memorize where they should be standing. The high school football team could move to the turf field for practice and the junior high team could move to the current high school area. The soccer team often is forced to cancel practice during wet springs because their practice sites are off-campus and are all grass. The city often closes their grass fields after rain. With a turf field, the soccer teams would not have to miss practice. Additionally, teams would be able to compete on campus.

Many people ask this question and it is completely understandable. 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. It is hard to say that past projects which addressed the school’s #1 priority and greatest pride – quality academics – were less important. So while we wish we could have done this sooner, the exciting thing is that we have the opportunity to make it happen now with your support.

The answer is no! However, it is close. Up until the mid-1900s, the Kearney dump was situated about where the St. James parking lot and the two football practice fields currently sit. The edge of the dump just barely cuts the corner where the current entry to the football field is. The area of this project is not on top of the dump. Historical photos and soil borings have cleared this up for the project.

We want our Kearney community to be able to benefit from this upgrade as well. It will be open for people to walk, jog and run. People may use the turf field when not being used for school or other pre-arranged activities. We can provide access to area schools that also lack an all-weather track. We can host camps for area teams and youth in the summer. We can make the field available for big tournaments that come to town and need additional turf field access.

WANT TO GIVE?

Giving is easy! Fill out the form below and we will reach out to discuss details.

THE TIME IS NOW

KEARNEY CATHOLIC OUTDOOR FACILITIES PROJECT