St. Albert’s knew that eventually they had to build a multi-purpose building. The last structure that was built up until this time was the convent in 1964 so it had been a few years. On February 14th, 1967 a meeting was arranged in the Church Hall (later known as the Crying Room) so that the architect could present his plans and ideas about a proposed multi-purpose building and answer any questions that the parishioners might have.
Someone probably should have asked him the cost because on Friday, June 16th the proposed bids came in and everything was 15% higher than estimated by the architect. St. Albert’s then announced that the plans were going to be restudied and evaluated carefully in order to determine what course to follow. In addition, the financial condition of the Parish was to be considered as well before any final decision was made. The proposed cost of construction was $212,000 and the architect’s fee was $12,720 for a total of $224,720. The evaluation process caused a delay but construction was well underway by the time the students returned for class in September.
Most of the construction went unnoticed by the classes, that is until a crane came bursting through the 5th grade ceiling window, causing glass to rain down on the classroom floor. Fortunately it happened before class started so no students were involved in the accident.
Finally, an announcement was made in the Chronicle that the new multi-purpose building would be sufficiently completed to enable an open house for it on March 17th, 1968. In addition, a committee for use of the multi-purpose building was formed, consisting of Frank Sternisha, Mrs. Donald Korte, Robert Marijanovich, Maurice Osaer, and John Wise. Also with a voice in the committee were the Ushers Club, the Altar Society, the Parent Teachers Guild, the Dad’s Club, and even the Hot Lunch program. The Committee met and formulated regulations for the use of the new building.
It did not take the committee long to put the new building to use as it would be used for gym classes, sporting events, lectures, school plays, etc. Perhaps the biggest test of the multi-purpose building would happen a few months later when a fashion show was put on there. The fashion show was the multi-purpose buildings first formal event and was a huge success that would create the opportunity for many other formal events as invitational speakers, professional athletes, conventions, and even formal New Years Eve Parties would take place in this building’s future.
