Bishop Conley was present to dedicate the new addition at Aquinas recently. The new Aquinas High School Fine Arts and Athletic Wing includes 29,300 SF of additional floor space and 3,950 SF of major renovation within the original school. The Fine Arts spaces include two primary classrooms for vocal music and instrumental music in addition to an office for each classroom, storage, instrument repair and instrument storage cabinets. The vocal music classroom is 940 SF and is designed to seat 60 vocalists. The instrumental music classroom is 1760 SF and accommodates 78 seated musicians with space for larger instruments and overflow. Both spaces are irregular shaped in plan and volume to accommodate acoustics, economical sound boards are installed to reduce reverberation and perimeter walls are soundproofed.
The athletic spaces are programmed to accommodate large tournament activities with a competition gymnasium, four locker rooms, concessions, high volume restrooms, athletic director’s office, training room and ample storage areas. The gymnasium will seat 1,049 spectators at full capacity and provides configurations for competition basketball, competition volleyball, two practice basketball courts or two volleyball courts. The locker rooms provide ample space and amenities for teams attending tournaments and provide offices and private restrooms for coaches. The original locker rooms below the stage have been renovated by volunteers to become the new weight / conditioning room.
The entire mechanical system is controlled by a central computer to monitor the environment and system efficiency. Each instructor is provided limited controls for heating and cooling the spaces as provided by the computer system. Energy Recovery Units provide fresh air to each space and dispels stale air while transferring heating / cooling from the discharged air to the new outside air. Nearly all lighting fixtures are high efficiency florescent with manual controls to minimize or maximize illumination in a space for specific events.
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Architect, Kevin Hittle, presents Bishop Conley with the plans for the new addition as part of the dedication ceremony at Aquinas.
