2008 Woodie Awards
Ready. Set. Build? Construction of chapel questioned
Students await and wonder about the building of chapel: SHU says it's on schedule
Ashley Stearns
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News
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On Dec. 5, Sacred Heart held a groundbreaking ceremony for our new chapel- the start to a new chapter at our growing university.
Since winter break, a fenced area has been put up and limbs are down though there has not been much action going on in the "work zone," also known as the Quad.
Not a shovel, contractor or backhoe in sight.
Student, Sarah DelGrosso, senior, Rumson, N.J. believes that construction on the chapel should have began sooner considering SHU's stature as the second largest Catholic University in the Northeast.
"We should have had a chapel to begin with considering [Sacred Heart] is a Catholic school," said DelGrosso.
It is difficult for students, like DelGrosso, to get excited about the chapel being built now that their time at Sacred Heart is coming to an end as a student.
"I just wished I could have experienced the chapel before I graduated," said DelGrosso.
Scott Giordano, junior, Hamden agrees with DelGrosso.
"I wish they would put the money into something I would be able to enjoy when I am still here," said Giordano.
With a mixture of emotions about the chapel groundbreaking with no ground actually being broken, students like DelGrosso and Giordano, are wondering if there is a "delay" with the development of SHU's new house of worship.
Different ideas about the possible hindrance of construction have some students talking.
"Who knows? Maybe the workers might think it is too cold to begin the [construction] process," said Joe Palma, sophomore, Gladstone, N.J.
Dr. Gerald Reid, professor of Anthology, Wallingford heard that the holdup of the chapel had more to do with a more practical issue: there is no rush.
"It is not considered a 'delay' if there is [more] work that needs to be done first," said Reid.
But the "man on campus" with the answers about the chapel is Dr. David Coppola, Assistant Vice President for Administration, Wilton.
"There is no delay whatsoever and everything is running according to plan," said Coppola. "I hope to see the chapel complete by June 2008."
Coppola explains that there are many things that need to take place first before construction is safely underway.
Electrical, water retention and sewage issues are all aspects that need to be addressed, first.
Petra Construction managers, who were hired by Sacred Heart to construct the chapel, cannot go to work until other matters are taken care of, such as who to hire for stone and steel construction and artwork.
"It will take two to four months before any visible structure will take place," said Coppola. "After the building begins, ordering furniture to seat 500 people will come next.
"Cleaning up is a major task and waiting up to six weeks for the organ to be installed is all part of the process. The process is an exciting thing."
Big plans are in the future for SHU.
The chapel, which is being designed by world-class architectural firm, Sasaki, will be one of the first projects. Soon to follow will be development on the library and humanities building.
So hold on and keep the safe and speedy construction of the chapel in your prayers.
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