Beautifying and Expanding the Misericordia Campus: The Notre Dame Study
by Barb Quaintance
If you ask, they might just say yes.
When Father Jack and Sister Rosemary went to Notre Dame for Sister Rosemary to accept the 2023 Laetare Medal, they were joined by Matt and Joyce Walsh. The Walshes had not only funded an architecture school at Notre Dame, but they also have a niece who resides at Misericordia. Knowing this, Father Jack and Sister Rosemary asked the Notre Dame architecture department if they would conduct a study of the Misericordia campus, recommending improvements and enhancements. And Notre Dame said, "Yes"!
The Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture came to Misericordia to explore possibilities. He was immediately impressed by the campus and assigned a team of architects to work on the study. The scope of the study was the physical plant, not services or current residences. Their focus was on using the campus most efficiently and building/modifying structures to meet Misericordia’s evolving needs.
Notre Dame made a series of recommendations that Misericordia divided into three phases of implementation. Phase One includes:
- Building a Community Center on the open space between McGowan and Holbrook. It will be a gathering space for both residents and staff, and construction will begin after Family Fest this year.
- Remodeling St. Henry’s school to house Development, HR, and Business.
- Adding two garages, with the goal of making the campus car-free. Once the garages are completed, the only vehicles on campus will be shuttle buses for residents.
- Constructing a new maintenance facility.
Architectural firms have been selected to do the Phase One work. In addition to these modifications, Father Jack decided to remake the Main Lobby into a memorial to Sister Rosemary. The new lobby should be open within a month. Construction is also underway to expand The Greenhouse Inn and the Gift Shop.
It is expected that Phase One will be finished within 3-4 years. The specifics of Phases Two and Three are still being considered. Look for details as Phase One comes closer to completion. Whatever is decided, the Misericordia campus will continue to grow and become an even more beautiful home to its residents.
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