Newport Central Catholic’s renovated entrance and commons include accessibility improvements, space to build community
Maura Baker
Staff Writer
In a ceremony, Dec. 19, Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, celebrated the opening of its newly built Tom Hoffman Alumni Hall and Commons.
A result of the school’s “Looking Up” capital campaign, the commons — which is situated at the front of the school — opens with a completely handicap accessible entrance. The whole space is likewise fitted with ramps for students, alumni and visitors of any mobility, and new bathrooms are ADA compliant. Tracie Hoffman, the widow of alumnus Thomas Hoffman, whom the hall is named for, came to Kenny Collopy, principal, to ask what support was needed for the hall’s construction.
“She wanted to make an impact outside of the campaign we have going on,” said Mr. Collopy. “We provided her with a very wide list and range of needs, and she compassionately chose to support the need of improving our accessibility to those entering our building.”
In addition to added accessibility, the hall’s construction and entrance renovation include safety and security improvements, upgraded administrative offices, as well as “common areas for the students,” said Mr. Collopy.
“It’s one of the areas in which you sit,” he said, addressing the crowd gathered for the commemoration, before thanking the Hoffmans and other donors for the common areas, which will “gather community and help build (the Newport Central Catholic) community and family even stronger.”
Bishop John Iffert, who participated in the ribbon cutting and blessed the space, spoke also, saying, “We pray today that this will be a place where people, as they enter this school and community, will really encounter one another and find what we share in common — our hopes, our dreams, our giftedness, our desire to reflect God’s goodness. Discover that in each person we meet, so that we can bring some calm to all of the chaos in the world, that we can bring some goodness reflected in that space.”
