Happy to be home

St. Catherine of Siena Parish School, an affiliate of St. Catherine of Siena Parish Church in Laguna Beach, concluded a nearly two-year-long renovation project Tuesday, with the completion of a new soccer field and “rock” wall that faces Coast Highway from the edge of the campus.

The $18-million renovation project, or Legacy Master Plan, called for the school’s 50-year-old buildings to be demolished and rebuilt, as they were worn and in dire need of repairs.

“In addition to the aging of our buildings and problems that arose, we also needed more space to grow,” Principal Janice Callender said.

The new mission-style facility, 4,500 square feet larger than the old one, includes a science lab, music room, a comprehensive and more spacious library, a computer lab with 28 large-screen Apple computers, a full-size gym with a performing arts stage, a chapel that holds about 45 people (two classes) and an updated sports field.

“Our gym used to be the only place for prayer, where we hold an all-school Mass once a month,” Callender said. “We had many requests for a chapel, and now we have one.”

The former campus included a vacant convent, she said, which occupied space that is now better utilized by the field.

The plan also allowed division between grades, so kindergarten has its own enclosed building and playground, and the lower and middle schools also have their space with larger, more efficient classrooms and shared art and science facilities.

Outdoor space that divides the schools contributes to its “green” efforts, eliminating hallway space that would require heating and air conditioning. Windows that allow natural light to shine through and energy-efficient lighting are also part of the new structure.

Despite the expansion, Callender said the school does not plan to increase enrollment beyond the old facility’s 315-student maximum capacity. The bulk of the reconstruction took place from June 2008 through June 2009, placing the faculty and students in temporary modules that served as offices and classrooms on what is now the field area.

“They were really quite nice and did not compromise our academic program in any way, but we were happy to be in our new school at the beginning of this school year,” Callender said.

Set to commence in June 2007, the plan was offset by controversy with the California Coastal Commission.

“A resident who claimed the project was within 100 feet of a stream, therefore enabling it to be appealed against, sought to have the coastal commission gain jurisdiction over the Coastal Development permit,” Construction Chairwoman Kelley Renezeder said. “The school sued the coastal commission and the court ruled in our favor.”

The delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“It helped the project because it gave us more time to review the plans and make them even better,” she said.