Saint Mary’s University breaks ground on new residence hall

Breaking ground are, from left: Gary Hay, principal, Hay Dobbs; State Senator Jeremy Miller; SMU Trustees Joe Ross and Jim Coogan; Connie Budin, SMU student activity president; Brother William Mann, SMU president; Michael Gostomski, SMU Board of Trustees chairman; Bob Rousseau, SMU Student Senate president; SMU Trustee Celeste Suchocki; Father Andrew Beerman, rector, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary; Winona Mayor Jerry Miller; and Mike Hansen, president of Schwab LLC.

Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota broke ground Friday, Oct. 7, on an innovative new residence hall at its Winona campus.

The Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees recently approved final plans and funding for the four-story facility. Construction will begin this week and the hall should be complete by August 2012, for use in the 2012-2013 academic year.

The cost of the project is estimated at $6.5 million. Hay Dobbs is the architect and Schwab LLC of Winona is general contractor.

The new residence hall will be located near the university’s high ropes course and track/soccer complex. It will be open to sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students during the academic year, and serve conferencing, camps and educational program needs in the summer.

Saint Mary’s President Brother William Mann said the new hall “shows our ongoing commitment to provide outstanding residential experiences for students.” He added, “As the university nears its Centennial in 2012-13, the addition of this residence hall gives us momentum heading into our second century.”

The new hall will be the first on campus to offer a variety of housing options. It will feature single-occupancy suites, double-occupancy suites, and two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. The structure will have 141 beds in 45 units, with a private bath in each room.

All rooms will be air-conditioned and wired for cable TV and Internet access. Study rooms, lounges and a kitchen will bring students together in community and encourage collaborative learning.