Capital Projects

Dining Center
In April of 2007, Salesianum School celebrates 50 years at 1801 North Broom Street, and other than individual cosmetic improvements (tile floor, lighting, ceiling tiles), the school’s dining area has remained virtually unchanged. The world is a different place since our building was new, and so are many factors associated with serving our students. Utilized by 100 percent of the school community, the dining area is the highest current priority in terms of aesthetic, systematic, and functional renovation. Thus, to better meet the needs of our students and faculty, the dining area will undergo extensive renovation work beginning in the summer of 2007.

Food Service Model
The model for serving lunches has changed. When the cafeteria was built, most students and staff brought their lunches. Today, more than 60 percent of the student population utilizes the school’s debit card lunch system to purchase freshly cooked pizza, chicken nuggets or Caesar salad. The new design enables the purchase of food via a “food court” serving model, as opposed to the current “assembly line” serving model. This change will greatly expedite the serving process, allowing more time for camaraderie and fellowship.

Overview of New Dining Center

Faculty Dining
Originally designed to accommodate 15 lay teachers, the Salesianum faculty dining area is ill-equipped to handle the current lay population of 77. An upgrade to the current space, as well as the creation of an auxiliary faculty dining area, will provide our teachers with a welcoming environment to relax and enjoy a healthy meal in on another’s company.

Food Variety
Today, parents demand variety for their children. Moreover, many parents desire healthier food choices, thus an array of versatile kitchen equipment will be procured to accommodate this request.

Internal Improvements
Overall, renovations to our dining area will offer an updated and more aesthetically pleasing environment representative of the Salesianum tradition. In addition, the procurement of new kitchen equipment and a new HVAC system will offer a healthier environment for our students in their growth as Salesian gentleman.

Up close look at proposed dining center layout.

Renovations include:

• Refurbish existing dining area
• Update heating, venting and air conditioning systems
• Replace kitchen equipment
• Create distinct serving areas
• Redesign student seating to accommodate 350 per lunch
• Upgrade faculty dining area & create additional dining space
• Relocate dining area storage
• Relocate dining area office space
• Provide central location for vending

Proposed Budget
Kitchen equipment: $460,000
Kitchen renovations: $150,000
Mechanical systems: $560,000
Electrical: $180,000
Dining area: $270,000
Demolition: $80,000

Total Project Budget: $1,700,000

Alternate view of dining center layout.

Naming Opportunities
In the interest of attracting philanthropic support for this needed renovation, Salesianum School will offer special naming opportunities to donors making leadership gifts to the project. Gifts may be made by individuals, families or by organizations honoring or memorializing the benefactor or another special person.

$500,000         Dining Center
$250,000         Kitchen
$150,000         Food Café
$100,000         Faculty Dining Areas
$50,000           Donor Wall (Gold)
$25,000           Donor Wall (Silver)
$10,000           Donor Wall (Bronze)

For more information about this project, please contact Rev. James E. Dalton, OSFS in the Office of the President, (302) 655-1072 or jdalton@salesianum.org.