A $3 million gift is expected to go a long way to cure the growing pains of a Lutheran school in northwest Omaha.
Concordia Lutheran Schools announced Thursday that William and Berniece Grewcock of Omaha have pledged $3 million toward a $5.9 million expansion campaign for its junior and senior high campus at 156th and Fort Streets. The donation is contingent on the school raising an additional $2 million by April 1.
The Rev. Jim Rasmussen, chief executive officer of Concordia Schools, said Concordia has already received commitments of $1.4 million. The Grewcocks' donation of 40 acres of land and a building enabled Concordia Junior and Senior High to open in 2001 with 45 students.
William Grewcock worked at Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc. for 56 years, retiring as vice chairman of the construction and mining firm. His wife has long been involved in community affairs.
"Our school wouldn't be here without the Grewcocks," Rasmussen said. "Now, their support is helping us take this next great step that will have such a wonderful impact on the next generation of students."
Concordia has hired Schemmer, an Omaha-based architecture and engineering firm that designed the school, to lead the project. Construction is expected to begin this spring and be completed in the summer of 2013.
Concordia now serves 295 students in grades seven through 12. The expansion will eliminate four classrooms in two portable buildings and increase capacity to 375.
The project will add six classrooms, a new competition gymnasium, an expanded commons area with a new front entrance and more parking. Rasmussen said the school's current gym — which holds 300 spectators — will remain as a practice facility.
"A lot of our teams have to go off campus to practice because we just don't have the facilities to accommodate them all," Rasmussen said. "We have just grown steadily, and we're excited to be able to offer the type of facilities that are so important when parents are selecting a school."
Concordia High School is a member of the Centennial Conference and competes in Class C-1 in football, basketball and volleyball. Concordia has its own track and cross country teams and cooperates with other schools to offer soccer, baseball, softball, swimming and golf.
The expansion comes as some private schools, particularly in east Omaha, have struggled with enrollment and finances.
Rasmussen credited Concordia's "outstanding" staff and faculty for the school's rapid growth.
"We like to say our school is refreshingly personal," he said. "Our teachers know about and care about all of the students in their care. That is very attractive to a lot of families in our area."
The Concordia system also includes Concordia Academy, which serves 175 students in kindergarten through sixth grade and is located at St. Mark Lutheran Church near 90th and Blondo Streets. Concordia Schools is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is supported by an association of 16 congregations in and around the Omaha area.
"We have had a great initial response," Rasmussen said. "Now as we announce the public phase of the campaign, we are asking members of our community to help us reach the finish line to make this project a reality."
Contact the writer:
402-444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com
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