Video: Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center Takes Shape

Work on the Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center, which began in earnest last summer on the California campus, is now well under way, and the building is taking shape. Aerial footage of the project is available in the video below.

Among the recent developments, a crane installed the large wood tresses that now undergird the building’s roof. “On top of the tresses, a lock deck of 4x8 tongue-and-groove wood beams were installed that will serve as a nice interior ceiling for the main gym,” says Vice President for Operations Mark Kretschmer. Workers also have poured concrete for sidewalks, a barbeque area, and bleachers on the east side of the field.

Keeping with the history of the campus, and the Doheny family’s arboretum-like landscaping, a large elm has been planted on the north side of the site. The adjacent athletic field features catching nets behind the soccer goals and an expanded beach-volleyball court. Students are already making use of the field, which offers a small taste of what is to come when the athletic center is completed in time for 2021-22 academic year. 

The College is deeply grateful to the Fritz B. Burns Foundation of Los Angeles, whose generous grant has made construction of the Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center possible.