Published: November 17, 2009 11:22 pm      

McCort wellness center work ahead of schedule

JOHNSTOWN — Chalk it up to good weather or just sheer determination, but construction on the Bach Wellness Center at Bishop McCort High School is ahead of schedule and the facility is set to open in April.

“Right now the steel structures are in place and most of the masonry work is complete, and they will be moving inside soon to begin putting in the floors,” said Principal Ken Salem. “It should be enclosed by mid-December.”

Work also is being done on connecting the center to the school building.

“There will be two connectors, one to the senior hall and the other to the cafeteria,” Salem said. “We’re also adding a new courtyard between the center and the building for outdoor gatherings or receptions, school events and a place for students to eat lunch.”

School and community leaders broke ground on the project in June.

The 14,000-square-foot wellness center will include two full-sized basketball courts and two volleyball courts. A running track will circle the center and netting will be suspended from the ceiling for baseball and softball practice during bad weather.

The weight room will be dedicated to former NFL player Pete Duranko, a McCort graduate.

The cardiovascular exercise area will feature treadmills, stationary bikes, steppers and elliptical runners.

Salem said the project’s price tag is $2.8 million, and thanks to various fundraising events, half of the total already has been raised. The center was spearheaded by McCort alum and retired dentist Dr. Tom Bach and his wife, Eileen, of Westmont. They contributed $1.2 million.

“Through the funds we’ve already received, we’ve been able to renovate our locker rooms in the school and we’ve saved significant dollars this way (instead of) constructing all new ones in the center,” he said.

“They have a wonderful new look, very college level.”

Having these upgrades and the addition of the wellness center helps match the high academic standards McCort is know for, Salem said.

“We anticipate the Bach project will not only significantly add to our students wellness and extracurricular activity, but also be the catalyst to continue refurbishing and upgrading the campus,” he said.