OTHER NEWS
O'Gorman reaches community appeal goal

By Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager

Fundraising for a new performing arts center on the O'Gorman campus reached its goal. Construction on the center is scheduled to start in the fall of 2009 and it is anticipated it will open in early 2011.

The Chamber-sponsored campaign ran from Jan. 1-July 31 this year — the same time that O'Gorman was also fundraising for its "Building on Excellence" Campaign that is changing the footprint of the entire campus. "Building On Excellence" is a $40 million campaign to totally renovate the O'Gorman High School classrooms and core area, build a new performing arts center, upgrade McEneaney Field, and increase endowments for teachers' salaries and tuition assistance. The overall campaign is still ongoing.

"At first we thought doing both campaigns at the same time might be difficult, but our volunteers and the community rose to the occasion," said Mike Flynn, Sioux Falls Catholic School Foundation Director. "We appreciate the Chamber leadership and the Community Appeals process. It was very effective from the beginning and we're greatly appreciative of all their efforts."

The Performing Arts Center will replace the current auditorium and the current auditorium will be renovated into a cheer/dance/gymnastics/wrestling space. Groups that will directly or indirectly benefit from the new O'Gorman Performing Arts Center include choir, band, drama, speech, dance, cheerleading, wrestling, gymnastics, weekly liturgies and school assemblies.

It also fills a community need by adding to the performance space available to the community. More than $5 million has been pledged for the new center, with more than $1 million left to be raised for the $6.3 million project. When completed, the Dr. Tom and Penny Lorang Theatre, named in honor of Lorang's 30 years of service to Sioux Falls Catholic Schools, will have 1,000 seats. It will primarily function for the school, but will also be able to accommodate other activities for the community.

"This will be a niche performance center for the community — it's larger than the Orpheum Theater and smaller than the Great Hall at the Washington Pavilion," said Campaign Co-chair Rich Garry, Garry Associates. "It is a stand-alone facility with its own entrance and parking and is at a great location."

Additional funding opportunities are still available for both the general "Building on Excellence" campaign and the Performing Arts Center. Donors can make a gift to the Dr. Tom and Penny Lorang Theatre in the Lorangs' honor or purchase naming rights for individual seats in the theatre as part of the Please Be Seated campaign. Gifts will be matched up to $500,000 until Dec. 31, 2008.

For more information about the O'Gorman Community Appeals campaign or to make a donation, contact the Development Office at (605) 336-6241.