MINNEAPOLIS – The Opus Group (Opus) announced today a contract with St. Catherine University for a 41,500-square-foot expansion and renovation project on the school’s main campus in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Opus will expand the university’s existing 59,000-square-foot Butler Center to accommodate its varsity athletic programs and offer state-of-the-art student wellness and athletic facilities. The project will help improve the center’s functionality and draw new students to campus.
“We’re looking forward to working with St. Kate’s during this exciting time for the campus and its students,” said Craig Larson, vice president of Opus Design Build, L.L.C. “They’re a valued partner, and our collaboration on this project will make Butler Center the best possible facility for current and future students, as well as faculty, staff and alumnae.”
As part of the project, Opus will add 31,500 square feet of new space to the existing three-story Butler Center. The addition will feature separate varsity locker rooms and lounge space, a cardio room with fitness equipment, a dance studio, as well as a one-story, multi-purpose training center. Opus will also redesign the front entry to include a controlled access point for added security and access to events in the arena. Ten thousand square feet of previous gymnasium space in the neighboring Fontbonne Hall will be renovated into additional university classroom space, which will connect to Butler Center. Opus will also install a new elevator to improve the building’s accessibility.
“We are excited to work again with the Opus team on another creative campus improvement project,” said Thomas Rooney, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, St. Catherine University. “The Fontbonne Hall and Butler Center renovations encompass our mission of cultivating an innovative spirit and providing a premier baccalaureate college for women. They will also enhance our relationship with the local community. This project provides us a unique opportunity to advance new innovative academic programs, enhance our vibrant campus life, and fulfill objectives within our 2020 Vision Strategic Plan while allowing the University to benefit from historically low debt financing rates.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2014. Renovation of Fontbonne Hall is slated for completion prior to the start of the 2014 fall semester. Full project completion is scheduled for February 2015.
Opus Design Build, L.L.C. will serve as the design-builder and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. will serve as the design-architect.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; architecture, engineering and interior design; sales and leasing. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in office, industrial, retail, institutional, residential and government projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com.
About St. Catherine University
A dynamic university educating students to lead and influence, St. Catherine prepares students to make a difference in their professions, their communities and the world. At the University's heart is the largest, most innovative college for women in the nation. St. Kate's also offers a range of graduate and associate programs for women and men. Learn more at www.stkate.edu.
Opus will expand the university’s existing 59,000-square-foot Butler Center to accommodate its varsity athletic programs and offer state-of-the-art student wellness and athletic facilities. The project will help improve the center’s functionality and draw new students to campus.
“We’re looking forward to working with St. Kate’s during this exciting time for the campus and its students,” said Craig Larson, vice president of Opus Design Build, L.L.C. “They’re a valued partner, and our collaboration on this project will make Butler Center the best possible facility for current and future students, as well as faculty, staff and alumnae.”
As part of the project, Opus will add 31,500 square feet of new space to the existing three-story Butler Center. The addition will feature separate varsity locker rooms and lounge space, a cardio room with fitness equipment, a dance studio, as well as a one-story, multi-purpose training center. Opus will also redesign the front entry to include a controlled access point for added security and access to events in the arena. Ten thousand square feet of previous gymnasium space in the neighboring Fontbonne Hall will be renovated into additional university classroom space, which will connect to Butler Center. Opus will also install a new elevator to improve the building’s accessibility.
“We are excited to work again with the Opus team on another creative campus improvement project,” said Thomas Rooney, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, St. Catherine University. “The Fontbonne Hall and Butler Center renovations encompass our mission of cultivating an innovative spirit and providing a premier baccalaureate college for women. They will also enhance our relationship with the local community. This project provides us a unique opportunity to advance new innovative academic programs, enhance our vibrant campus life, and fulfill objectives within our 2020 Vision Strategic Plan while allowing the University to benefit from historically low debt financing rates.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2014. Renovation of Fontbonne Hall is slated for completion prior to the start of the 2014 fall semester. Full project completion is scheduled for February 2015.
Opus Design Build, L.L.C. will serve as the design-builder and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. will serve as the design-architect.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; architecture, engineering and interior design; sales and leasing. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in office, industrial, retail, institutional, residential and government projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com.
About St. Catherine University
A dynamic university educating students to lead and influence, St. Catherine prepares students to make a difference in their professions, their communities and the world. At the University's heart is the largest, most innovative college for women in the nation. St. Kate's also offers a range of graduate and associate programs for women and men. Learn more at www.stkate.edu.