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News & Features

Diocese acquiring land for new high school project
archived from: 2010-02-01
by: Robert P. Lockwood

Population growth expected to continue near Cranberry Township site

The Diocese of Pittsburgh announced that it has exercised options to purchase land in Cranberry Township for the purpose of building a new co-educational Catholic high school.

A parcel of 31 acres was recently purchased and acquisition of an adjacent 40 acres is expected to be completed by early February.

The total comprises nearly 71 acres and is located on state Route 228 across from the new St. Kilian School.

The purchase price for the property reflects current market value and takes into account previous investments in the site made by the former owner.

In July 2009, the diocese acquired options to purchase the property in anticipation of the growing demand for a new regional Catholic high school in southern Butler County and in support of long-standing efforts by North Catholic High School to relocate from its current location in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood.

The subject site in Cranberry near Seven Fields is one of sustained and projected continuing population growth. One-third of the region’s population is Roman Catholic and increasing.

Diocesan projections suggest a new high school complex serving as many as 1,000 students can be constructed on this land at an estimated total project cost of $54 million to $60 million. However, the acquisition of the property is only the first step.

A project of this magnitude requires a substantial commitment of capital in the form of gifts, grants and external borrowing. Bishop David Zubik, together with diocesan representatives, in conjunction with the leadership and board of North Catholic, have been collaborating to identify and secure the necessary financial commitments.

While the intention is to commence construction as soon as possible, work on the project can only begin when and if sufficient funding is available.

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