By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Thomas More Prep-Marian broke ground on its new Creative Learning Building on Thursday afternoon.
Dirt work is already underway on the site, which is on the north side of the current TMP building on Hall Street.
The new building, which will be 6,400 square feet, will allow the school to offer classes in welding, computer-aided drafting (CAD), fabrications, 3D printing, robotics, carpentry, construction and management, Chad Meitner, principal, said.
The wood shop will be relocated from the school's basement to the new building. The school also hopes to add new equipment, including a laser cutter, CNC machine, plasma cutter, large format printers and 3D printers. A greenhouse to facilitate ag education will also be a part of the new facility.
Meitner said the Creative Learning Building will allow some classes to be team-taught across disciplines.
He gave examples of graphic art, geometry in construction and various science classes, which could use the space and tools for labs or individual or group projects.
"Students on different career and college pathways will all be able to advance their learning and unlock their creativity with this new building and course offerings," Meitner said.
"TMP-Marian is excited to offer this expansion of opportunity while maintaining our traditional high standards and individual support and attention. I can't imagine a situation where a student would not thrive in TMP-Marian's expanded system."
Major sponsors for the project include Hess Services, the Dreiling Trust, Don Gottschalk and family, Klem Karlin of the class of '70, and Diehl Oil.