Schools

Duchesne Students Can Expect A Cooler School

The high school has air-conditioning installed in gym, performance hall.

Students heading back to in August will find two areas in the school are noticeably cooler.

Parts of the campus already have air-conditioning—the library and computer labs, administrative offices, the cafeteria and science labs. But many of the places where students spend their time are still without central air-conditioning.

The private Catholic high school is installing air conditioning in two more places, the gymnasium and the performing arts center, this summer. The project is paid for with funds from an ongoing Faith in Our Future capital campaign that started in 2008.

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The goal for the capital campaign is to raise $4 million which would  purchase better technology for students, provide the entire campus with air-conditioning and improved heating, in addition to refurbishing the library, updating flooring, lockers and equipment among other projects. The school has raised about $1.7 million to date and completed the technology upgrades, said Emily Kuryla, director of marketing and recruitment.

Educational needs for students will always come first, said Duchesne President Terry Gravemann.

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"We're not going to sacrifice our educational program for something that is an extra," he said, adding that today's kids aren't used to not having air-conditioning around. "The goal is to do the whole place. It'll require more pledges."

The air-conditioning will be particularly helpful in the gym and performance center because those areas are used most often for large events such as assemblies, fundraising dinners and graduation.

"I know parents and grandparents will be happy to see it air-conditioned," Kuryla said.

Two students said they look forward to the new areas with air conditioning. Typically, the windows are open, and the fans are on in the classrooms in August when it's very hot. If the temperature is too high, students get a half day.

"It happened a few times last year," said Nick Sallwasser, an incoming senior. "It's kind of fun when you don't have to be there."

Throughout the next several days the administration is working out of the library as contractors install the new system. Everything is scheduled to be completed by the mid-August.

"They've been working feverishly to make sure it all gets done before school starts," Kuryla said. The first day of school is Aug. 17.


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