St. Benedict freshens up for 90

When St. Benedict Catholic School's 90th anniversary rolls around this fall, its celebration will be in style.

By then, four major projects with a total cost of $500,000 to $600,000 will have been completed to freshen the facility in Richmond.

At least, that's the plan, said Principal Sean Cruess.

Already, $100,000 was spent to restructure the steps on Grove Avenue that lead to the school's front door. Built without a foundation, the steps sank and pulled away from the building through the years.

With the steps in good shape, "we're starting our celebration of the 90th now and will continue all through the year," Cruess said.

"We're real happy with the renovation," he said, adding that the historic front of the building is used in the school's letterhead.

To celebrate completion of the first improvement project, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held yesterday. The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, joined the students in a ceremony in which he said a prayer and blessed the front steps.

Completing the steps as the first project made sense, Cruess said.

"We look back at the 90 years of excellent education our school has provided, but we also look ahead to the students who will climb these steps for years to come," he said.

Other projects include renovating the restrooms and updating the computer lab and multipurpose room. The school is seeking grants and donations to help fund the projects.

Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or .