Due to construction delays, the new chapel on the second floor of Holy Cross House, is set to open mid to late October.
“Adding a second exit for safety reasons, removal of the choir loft took longer than we expected, and things you usual associate with large construction projects caused some delays,” said Jeffery Carleton, communications director for St. Thomas University. “Even at one point during the summer there were ducks settling near (the chapel) … and that caused delays for several days because we couldn’t disturb the ducks from nesting.”
The chapel was supposed to open in late September along with the Great Hall on the second floor of George Martin Hall where the old chapel was, which Carleton said would be opened in a matter of weeks.
The cost of renovations for GMH was $310,000 and it costs $285,000 to renovate the space in Holy Cross, while equipment for the Great Hall was $115,000 and $40,000 for the new chapel.
Carleton said the capacity for the chapel should around 120 people.
The design for the new chapel will incorporate elements of the old, such as the original doors.
Carleton said the design of the Great Hall has a communal feel.
“I think we’re in a period or a generation right now that is used to coffee shop environments. They’re used to spaces where they can gather in small groups and yet there’s things going on around them and I think we’ll have that in the Great Hall,” said Carleton.
He said the new club chairs and tables ordered, along with coffee itself, will help build this coffee shop environment. He says the capacity for the space will be between 120 and 250 people.
“Based on seating and how we arrange the chairs.”
Janice Ryan is the campus minister. Her parish now meets in Brian Mulroney Hall and has moved around a fair bit since the old chapel closed down.
She said while her congregation feels like wanderers, she’s excited to see the new space.
“It’s going to be a beautiful space.”
Ryan said the size of the new chapel should accommodate parishioners and only on occasion be at capacity.
The parish went through some turbulence after the announcement to move the chapel and has had to learn to cope with the change, but are grateful to have a hope on campus, she said.
For Ryan, it’s important that the new chapel is going to incorporate parts of the old one into it.
“It will give (members of the parish) a sense of continuity,” she said. “One of the things (this journey) confirms for me is the great things and the great roots of the community and the great strength. I’ve seen all of that.”
