And if you haven't, let me give you a brief review… because I think the analogy works perfectly for the new life that Donnelly College is bringing to its campus on 18th Street between Tauromee and Barnett.
Here's how my thinking goes... just as Simba completed the "circle of life" and took the reins of leadership from Mufasa in Disney's animated feature "The Lion King" (a great movie, by the way), so it is in old KCK. What used to be new has now become old and somewhat worn. In many cases it needs to be replaced, remodeled or repurposed so that it can have new life and serve new generations.
Donnelly College has educated students in Kansas City, Kansas since 1949. It is an independent, coeducational, Catholic college that was founded by the Benedictine Sisters and is currently sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
The college already closed one "circle of life" when it moved from its old campus on Sandusky into what used to be the Providence Hospital building on north 18th Street.
Now, a new circle is being completed as the college has begun construction of a Community Event Center that will accommodate 200 people and can serve as a gathering place for both college and community events.
The wrecking ball arrived on campus in August and dust swirled in the hot summer wind as the old brick walls came crashing down. (Click any photo below to enlarge).
 |
| Here are a couple of photos taken in late August (standing on Barnett and looking to the southwest). |
Lynn Hire, the marketing coordinator for the college wrote to me in August and told me:
"We are redesigning and rebuilding the oldest building on campus. The foundation of the Community Event Center formerly served as a hospital laundry facility and most recently as a child care center for El Centro. In Spring 2013, the new facility will open and become available for public programming and events (60% usage projected) as well as campus events and functions.
Features of the new facility include:
- 200-person capacity
- A catering kitchen
- A separate entrance
- State-of-the-art technology, sound system and multimedia screens
- A circle drive and visitor drop-off
- Restrooms and meeting space
- An outdoor courtyard
"A growing list of Donnelly community partners including Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools; Kauffman Scholars; KU Gear Up; Leadership 2000; Money Smart with the Federal Reserve Bank; Unified Government; YMCA Young Achievers and many more are expected to use the new facility."
 |
| The walls of the old laundry facility were completely removed by early September and the deck was ready for the groundbreaking and blessing on September 12th (looking northwest). |
A huge crowd gathered at the site on September 12, 2012 for a groundbreaking and blessing. Mayor Joe Reardon was joined by commissioners Tarence Maddox and John Mendez at the event and all praised the investment that Donnelly is making in the community.
 |
| Framing for the new walls is already in place as construction zips along and the facility takes shape. |
I stopped by the site this morning and I was thrilled to see that construction is moving at a fast pace. At the rate they're going, I bet they'll have everything enclosed before the really cold weather hits. Then, they can work inside to apply the finishing touches tot he facility.
Although Donnelly is technically just outside the boundaries of District 2, countless young people from our district have benefited from a Donnelly education over the years. Many thanks to Donnelly College president Steve LaNasa and to all the faculty and staff who are working hard to make their college and our community better places to live, work and play!
 |
| Here's an artist's rendering of how the Event Center will look when it is completed in early 2013. |
As always, I'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and dreams by sending an email or dropping a note in my suggestion box.
~ Brian
- or -
