Elyria Catholic launches $10.8 million fundraising drive, improvement plan

Elyria Catholic High School has launched Boldly EC, a $10.8 million fundraising drive to provide for expansions and renovations at the school, as well as an increase in the school's endowment fund. Elyria Catholic President Annie Heidersbach said in a letter Monday that the school had already obtained $7.9 million in funding from early contributors, and is now going public with the drive to raise funds for the remainder of its goal. "Grounded in the bold vision of our founder, Monsignor Newton, Elyria Catholic remains the only Catholic high school in Lorain County and the only co-educational Catholic high school serving the far western suburbs," Heidersbach said in the letter. "With enrollment growing and programs expanding, we must ensure our facilities rise to meet the needs of today's students — and tomorrow's." The second biggest expense of the plan, and the largest physical undertaking, will be the creation of the Leadership and Innovation Center and Courtyard, an expected investment of $3.6 million. "A transformative hub for learning, leadership development and student support, the center will feature flexible gathering areas and a comprehensive student success hub that unites guidance, STEM, career and college advising," Heidersbach said in the letter. Heidersbach said the courtyard would be attached to the center and would serve as an outdoor space for student reflection and celebration. According to architectural designs published online, the center will be built to the west of the original Elyria Catholic building, toward Gulf Road, and will refocus the school's historic west courtyard as a main entryway. The space is planned to total 8,000 square feet. The other major capital investment of the project is one that will certainly be welcomed by students and parents alike. Elyria Catholic plans to fully modernize its electrical systems, which will allow the school to be air conditioned in both the Coliseum gymnasium and the James E. Terrell Performing Arts Center for the first time. "These improvements will enhance safety, comfort, year-round usability and the overall student and family experience," Heidersbach said in the letter. Nearly half of the project's goal, $5 million, will be added to the school's endowment fund, from which Heiderbach said it would be used to ensure EC's future stability, expand tuition assistance and provide support for "academic excellence, faith formation and student programming." The final $800,000 of the Boldly EC plan will be placed into The Panther Fund, a school fund that supports everything from academics and athletics to tuition assistance and classroom renovations. "I am so excited to see the vision our president, Annie Heidersbach, and leadership team has come up with to elevate Elyria Catholic to the top of the educational pyramid in the county and possibly the diocese," Boldly EC Co-Chair James Terrell said in a release. "We all need to help in any way possible to attract the best students by providing the best Catholic education to our current and upcoming students and future leaders of our community." Those interested in contributing to the Boldly EC plan should contact Heidersbach at (440) 230-8601 or heidersbach@elyriacatholic.com or contact Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement Garen Distelhorst at (440) 230-8613 or distelhorst@elyriacatholic.com. "I am profoundly grateful to the families, alumni, donors and partners whose faith and generosity have already propelled this campaign forward," Heidersbach said. "Their belief in Elyria Catholic — and in the transformative power of Catholic education — continues to inspire us. If you feel called to explore how your gift could support Boldly EC, I would be honored to talk with you." To learn more about the plan, visit elyriacatholic.com/boldyec. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.