CAPE CORAL\u00a0 |\u00a0 Ground was broken on a new state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility being constructed for St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral.<\/p>\n
Bishop Emilio Biosca Ag\u00fcero, O.F.M. Cap., presided over the groundbreaking July 25, 2026. \u201cHaving been ordained just two weeks, this is my first groundbreaking and I will always remember it was at St. Andrew\u2019s. I will be anxious to follow all of the progress of the building and certainly for the school, the community, the children and the families.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a prayer of blessing, Bishop Emilio blessed the people and then the ground with holy water before he was joined by others in the ceremonial groundbreaking.<\/p>\n
Bambi Giles, principal of St. Andrew Catholic School welcomed Bishop Emilio and said the project had been in planning for a long time and was made possible through the support of the parish pastor, Father Eduardo Coll, and the abundant generosity of the St. Andrew school and parish family. The school has seen tremendous growth in the past four years, from about 300 students to more than 620 for the coming academic year.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we\u2019re not just breaking ground for a new building – we are laying the foundation for future generations of students, families and parishioners,\u201d Giles said. \u201cWe celebrate what we are building, and why we are building it \u2014 to ensure that St. Andrew Catholic School continues to \u2018Build Faith, Hearts and Minds\u2019 forming our young disciples of Christ for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility represents a transformational investment in the future of St. Andrew Catholic School. The building will feature a full-size gymnasium, nine classrooms, and nine flexible-use learning spaces designed to support academics, athletics, faith formation, student enrichment, parish activities, and community events. The additional space will also enhance the school\u2019s ability to serve students with diverse learning needs while allowing the parish hall to be returned to parish ministry. The construction is expected to be completed by the start of the 2027-28 school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a defining moment in the history of St. Andrew,\u201d Father Coll said. \u201cThis project reflects our commitment to investing in our children, strengthening our parish community, and ensuring that Catholic education continues to thrive for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community leaders, benefactors, parishioners, alumni, faculty, students, families, and friends of St. Andrew were invited to join in celebrating the exciting milestone.<\/p>\n
Distinguished guests who broke ground with Bishop Emilio included Father Coll, Principal Giles, and two sets of co-chairs for the capital campaign, Deacon Rick and Paula Hellenbrand, as well as Tim and Melissa Altieri, Doug Oliver, president of Compass Construction, Ian Moore, vice president of Compass Construction, Dan Beeman, Diocese of Venice Director of Construction and Buildings, and Mary Ann Nielsen, parish business manager.\u00a0<\/p>\n