HASTINGS, Neb. – The Hastings Saint Cecilia high school building is welcoming its students back to school after two years of renovations.

On Wednesday morning, Fr. Cyrus Rowan and other members of Hastings Catholic Schools cut the ribbon on the renovated high school building ahead of the first day of the 2024-25 school year.  

"It's great to have the full building open having all this capacity, and all this space," said Rowan.

The building closed 828 days ago on May 9, 2022 to make multiple improvements to the east side of the building. 

The biggest issue was the building lacked central air and relied on window air units.

Completed upgrades include a central HVAC system, updated classrooms, and a new chapel. 

"Before the renovation project we had window air conditioners, we had single-pane windows that were very small, there wasn't a whole lot of light coming in," said Rowan. "Now we have controlled air, controlled heat, so that provides a great environment for our students to learn and find success in."

For the past two years, high school students were consolidated into the west side of the building, which housed the middle school students.

"We had students in one wing all grades 6-12 very crowded," said Rowan. "We had to extend passing periods for middle school so they wouldn't get run over by the high school students."

The total renovation project cost $13 million. $2 million came from a Teacher Endowment Fund, and the remaining $11 million was raised through donations. 

Rowan says the school is going to let their finished project sink in before considering their next project.