The front of Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School is going to receive a much requested and anticipated face lift as part of Vision 2030. Vision 2030 started nine years ago and has raised over $16.7 million dollars from nearly 4,000 donors. It has been the largest fundraising initiative in the history of the Lafayette Catholic School System.
The current sign was erected in 1995 in memory of David N. Arth, CC '68, Christopher Garriott, CC '76, Chip Leffert, CC '89, and Robert L. Smith, CC '82. The classes of 1960, 1962, 1968, 1974, 1993 and group of volunteers made the project possible.
Contractors are expected to begin work this summer on the new Spiritual Plaza and sidewalk project. The project will be among the most publicly visible and vitally important in demonstrating to our school and broader community our mission and strength of Catholic education in the Lafayette area. There are several elements that will be incorporated into the project.
- The new plaza and sign will be made of stone to match other architectural elements around the school grounds.
- The existing cross on the sign will be removed, refurbished and installed on the west wall of the plaza.
- A national historical marker from the Daughters of the American Revolution will be constructed on behalf of Capt. Mary T. Klinker, CC '65.
- The ten commandments will be incorporated into the plaza.
- The four patron saints of Central Catholic, Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph, Saint John Bosco, and Saint Maria Goretti will be placed on the four corners of the plaza.
- Eight beatitude stone pillars will be placed along the new front walkway between the plaza and the front entrance of the school.
- Twelve dedication trees will be planted to accommodate memorial requests in line with the LCSS guidelines and procedures to memorialize individuals or groups associated with the schools.
- Architectural seat walls will be placed near the parent drop-off.
- Professional landscaping and lighting effects will be installed in front of the new stone sign.
- Stamped concrete accents will be placed inside the spiritual plaza and between the Beatitude Pillars.
- A new ten-foot-wide concrete sidewalk will be installed along 9th street in front of the school property to the intersection at Teal Road.
The estimated $500,000 project is possible thanks to the generosity of individual donors, the Class of 1965 and a partnership with the City of Lafayette.