by Caleb Kim ’26
Get ready Bells! By the start of the next academic year, construction will have been finished, and the Wade Academic Center will be open for all students. From being more environmentally sustainable to having more open, outdoor spaces, the WAC offers new opportunities for the new school year. So recently, we caught up with Mr. Ron Miller, Bellarmine’s Chief Financial Officer, to get more information on the building’s construction.
What academic subjects are going to be in the building? Well, we’ll relocate the classrooms that are in O’Donnell. So that would primarily be English, Modern and Classical Languages and Computer Science. Also, there’ll be a speech and debate area with more private rooms personalized for speech and debate
What is the exact structure of the building? It’ll be 21 classrooms on two levels.
Is there anything unique about the building in particular? How is it different from recently constructed buildings, like Lokey? Well, it’s going to be LEED Gold certified, which is an environmental certification for sustainability, with 250 solar panels up on the roof, separate batteries, and storage systems. It’s going to be beautiful and modern and have a lot of open windows with natural light coming through. Also, what’s neat is that outside, facing the chapel, there’ll be a big courtyard gathering area. It’ll have a barbecue and seating, so it’ll open that area up.
Can you talk more about this new open area? The outdoor gathering space will be very welcoming for small social events. There’ll be benches similar to the concrete ones around the chapel, where you can sit, but we’re still finalizing the landscaping details.
What stage of construction is the building in right now? We’re planning to complete it towards the end of June, so around 75% is complete. All the main structure has been done, the drywall, paint, door and window installation are all in process. The electrical is mainly in. The elevator is in the process of being installed. Some of the bathrooms are completed.
Not to jump too far ahead, but what will happen with O’Donnell next year then and long-term? Some of the floors will not be occupied and as such, no access areas. There’s a longer-term plan downstream to possibly take O’Donnell down and rebuild something else, but again that’s longer term.
On an overarching note, is there anything you want students to remember about the new building? Pick up your trash!
Like Mr. Miller said, let’s make sure to keep our shared campus clean and to take extra care of the new Wade Academic Center next year!
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.