Military school updates campus

When students return to Marmion Academy this fall, they might not recognize it.

More parking and improved access roads will greet students when they arrive for the first day of school at the all-boys military academy in Aurora Aug. 22.

The work is part of a $4.1 million construction project that includes new playing fields to be ready in August 2008 and a new welcome center, field house and music center to open later.

The expansion is needed to accommodate a growing student population. Enrollment has increased steadily since 2000, with 530 students enrolled for the 2007-08 school year. There were 500 students a year ago.

Construction began in June. Work being done now includes installing streetlights, increasing the number of parking spaces from 330 to more than 700 and adding a new entrance to the football stadium on the north side of campus.

Additional construction will not begin until the school gets more funding, Marmion spokeswoman Madelyn Weed said. So far, construction costs have been funded solely by private donations.

Weed said the school would like to get corporate funding, but said that is unlikely since there are restrictions on donations to faith-based organizations.

"We were trying to get this roadwork done before (starting) any other building project," Weed said.