Rebuilding Mater Dei

REBUILDING MATER DEI’S CAMPUS: Then and Now

Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to rebuild and revitalize the campus of Mater Dei High School. Delivering on the late Bishop

McFarland’s promise for “MD to remain a beacon of Catholic education in the City of Santa Ana,” we have re-imagined the grounds of Mater Dei like never before.

The final component of the campaign is the performing arts complex to rise in the footprint of the original school gymnasium. This multi-year campaign is expected to be complete in 2022.

Presenting the Monarch Masterpiece – Southern California’s Home for the Arts

A rendering of the proposed MD Performing Arts Center.

The Center for the Performing Arts will be the largest highest school performing arts complex encompassing over 55,000 square feet which includes: an 800 seat theatre, stage (with orchestra pit) and balcony; classrooms for dance, theatre arts, choir and instrumental music; the Monarch Television Studio for live broadcasting and livestreaming for film and media arts; dressing and costuming areas, locker room and shower facilities, directors’ and moderators’ offices, a new campus store, concessions, and storage.

Alleviating our current space and budget challenges, the Monarch Masterpiece will also enable growth and expansion benefiting the:

MATER DEI COMMUNITY by

• Expanding existing vocal conservatory

• Creating college master class series

• Advancing course curriculum

• Growing student enrollment in the arts

• Increasing our number of educators

• Hosting professional/community ensembles (including youth and non-profit groups)

• National music festivals

We are committed to bringing a permanent home for the performing arts to Mater Dei and the deserving communities we serve. For more information including building renderings and our campaign video visit www.materdei.org/performingartscenter.

ASB Center Expansion

Beyond the performing arts center, however, we are also embarking on mini-campaigns to expand existing resources on campus.

Under the direction of the activities director, associate activities director, and class advisors, our working structure of nearly 400 students involved in Associated Student Body (ASB) receive guidance and training in order to help with their involvement in a multitude of activities both on and off campus.

Today, ASB includes 15 commissions which cover social awareness, school spirit, special events, educational enrichment, environmental services and community outreach. ASB student leaders organize and facilitate more than 150 activities and events each year including dances, rallies, club fairs, lunchtime activities, community service projects, prayer services, student rowdy rooters at various athletic events and much more.

In order to accommodate this ever-growing program, the school has designed an expanded Carol LaRosa ASB Center. The project includes expanding the existing footprint both east and north approximately six feet on and creating a formal entrance way and much needed storage. The expanded space will afford our students a leadership classroom and study space, student workspace with meeting and computer areas, and a new welcome space with digital bulletin boards.

Golf Practice Facility Expansion

Since it opened in 2012, the Andry Family Outdoor Golf Practice Facility has allowed golf team members the use of an outdoor space including a putting and chipping area, outdoor hitting bays and portable simulation equipment. Both the girls and boys golf teams have outgrown the original outdoor practice facility and lack the much needed on campus space necessary for year round programs. Teams currently have to travel to off campus courses taking away valuable practice and study time.

The planned expansion will add a permanent structure adjacent to the existing outdoor facility, an additional 2,000 square feet of space which will include valuable meeting/lounge space, two team rooms, four hitting bays, two coaches offices, and a restroom. Along the back of the building, a covered veranda will run to a gazebo-like structure that caps the end of the porch, where students can gather to study or enjoy the picturesque view of the outdoor practice greens and athletic fields.

Parking Structure

Construction began in June 2018 on the three-story parking structure located at the South end of Monarch Way. Under the direction of Bomel Construction, the structure will hold almost 1,000 vehicles and provide access for electric vehicles. This addition to campus will greatly aid in alleviating neighborhood traffic as well as on Edinger and Bristol Street and for pedestrians. The parking structure will allow for complete on-campus parking for all Mater Dei events. Targeted completion date is shortly after the 2019-2020 school year begins in August 2019.

GET INVOLVED!

Contact an Advancement Team Member: Erica Adams, VP of Advancement at (714) 850-9533 Allison (Jacobe) Bergeron ’96, Director of Estate & Alumni Giving at (714) 850-9532 Kathleen Kelly ’94, Director of Alumni Giving & Relations at (714) 850-9536 Whitney Pavlik ’02, Coordinator of Estate & Alumni Giving at (714) 850-9535