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On Monday, Nov. 6, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held marking the commencement of Phase 1 of the project.
Father George Hafemann, Pastor of St. John Parish in Goshen and BC Board of Trustee member, blessed the site with holy water and a prayer. BC Administrators, along with members of the BC Board of Trustees and the BC Foundation were also present with shovels in hand to mark the occasion.
“It’s an exciting day for us here at Burke Catholic,” said John Douthit, Principal for Operations. “The BC community has rallied behind this project to help us raise $195,000. We are now just $15,000 away from reaching the finish line.”
Burke Catholic began an ambitious campaign to rehabilitate the existing track. The upgrade, which will include repair of the pole vault runway and high jump area, will improve the track with new, technologically advanced, low maintenance material by the spring of 2018.
“When this project is complete, we will once again be able to host home track meets,” said Burke Catholic’s Athletic Director Adam Kless. “Additionally, all of our students will benefit and are excited to have a track they can be proud of.”
“The track renovation is part of a larger strategic plan to revitalize Burke Catholic High School,” Douthit added. “We are committed to constantly upgrading our campus to better serve our students’ needs.”
The school and Burke Catholic Parent Club have put its fundraising muscle behind the track improvement, holding a “Sign and Drive” event, a golf outing and an art auction to raise money. All donations to the BC Foundation over the past year went to the track project.
The next fundraising event planned by the BC Parent Club to benefit the track is the Burke Catholic High School Christmas Boutique to be held at the school on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
More than 40 local artisans and vendors will be present in addition to a “Kids Only Christmas” Shop, where all items will cost less than $5, and pictures with Santa will be available. The day will kick off with Santa and friends at the Ugly Sweater Jingle Jog at 9 a.m.
To make a donation to the On Track for 2018 campaign, visit www.BurkeCatholic.com.
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