Naperville family gift allows St. Francis High School construct a new building

Wheaton's St. Francis High School will break ground this spring on a $1.37 million building to house some sports programs and accommodations for spectators.

The project was made possible by a gift from the Nicole and Todd Lacy family of Naperville, which will cover more than half the budgeted amount for the project, school President Tom Bednar said.

Construction is scheduled for completion by August.

The project is part of the second phase of the school's Bring It All Back Home campaign.

The Lacy Family Gateway Building will be a 5,000-square-foot stand-alone structure west of the tennis courts and bleachers. It will provide a home for the Spartans dance and wrestling programs, as well as improve accommodations for spectators with restrooms and new concessions. Physical education classes also will use the building.

“St. Francis is a community that provides an excellent education, not only in academics but also in the Catholic faith,” said Nicole Lacy, who has two children enrolled in the school. “Our sons, like all of the students, are provided many opportunities to excel in a variety of areas; academics, athletics and the arts. The Lacy Family Gateway Building will become another area in which the students can grow.”

The first phase of the Bring It All Home campaign led to the construction of the school's Kuhn Memorial Stadium and the Coach Scott Nelson track, as well as the synthetic turf field.