As you can see in the photos in the video, the framing is nearly done on the remodel of St. Francis Hall. The heavy beams, each weighing 3,000 pounds, have been lifted into place and the assemblies that will provide the beams with the traditional arch shape are now bolted into place.

The structure that will support the movable partition wall – the wall that will provide us with the ability to separate the hall in half, is now completed. The new storage room and the adjacent new AV room, at the location of the old stage, are also fully framed. As an important part of this remodel, the fire sprinklers have been extended beyond St. Francis Hall to all of the classrooms in the St. Clare / St. Francis Hall building. Thank you to Scholarship Prep for providing the extra funding to make that happen! The fire sprinkler work should be completed in approximately one week. When it is completed, the entire building will be sprinklered. The electricians will begin their work in the hall next week. In addition to the electrical runs, they will also provide empty conduit runs for future audiovisual equipment. – Don Chadwick, Facility Manager

As you can see, the renovations in St. Francis Hall are really starting to take shape. We have had several delays, some due to COVID-19, some due to delays in getting product due to wildfires in the West, and our latest delay due to structural issues in the wall dividing the two sides of St. Francis Hall. This delay means our completion date will now be pushed out until January 2021.

I know we’re all anxious to see St. Francis Hall “renewed”, but we’ll have to wait a little longer. We’re fortunate that due to COVID-19 restrictions we have not had to cancel large gatherings for weddings and quinceañeras. We have full faith in our contractors that they are working as quickly as possible to complete the renovation. We look forward to unveiling the Renewed St. Francis Hall to you early next year. – Gwyn Grimes, Parish Administrator

A special farewell and many thanks to Don Chadwick who is retiring this week from Mission San Luis Rey Parish. In the past 2.5 years, Don has overseen the Solar Project, the re-roofing project, the reorientation of the liturgical space in Serra Center, the refurbishment of classrooms in the parish, and at the school, installation of air conditioning and heat in the chapel and parish office, recovery from the fire in the Serra Music room, refurbishment of the parish kitchen, and many other projects. Please pray for Don and his family during the start of an exciting new chapter in his life and ours. — Gwyn Grimes, Parish Administrator