Jesuit Announces New Performing Arts Center

TAMPA, FL – Two of Tampa’s most notable philanthropists will be immortalized at their alma mater, Jesuit High School.

The school will honor Columbia Restaurant fourth-generation president Richard Gonzmart and Oliva Tobacco Company second-generation owner John Oliva for their donations its “For Greater Glory” capital campaign.

The announcement came during the school’s annual President’s Mass & Breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 27. During the event, Jesuit High School president Father Richard Hermes announced the plans for the next face of its Campus Master Plan.

Hermes announced the Phase II centerpiece will be a new Fine and Performing Arts Center before nearly 400 Jesuit supporters at the Renaissance Hotel in Tampa.

“This comprehensive, elegant Performing Arts Center will include a beautiful, new theater to provide needed improvements in space, lighting and acoustics for Jesuit’s stage performers,” Hermes said. “It will foster greater collaboration between the Music Department and Fine Arts, and allow the school to better showcase student artistic achievements at events such as the annual Celebration of the Arts.”

Hermes also updated Phase I of the Campus Master Plan, which broke ground in June. The new 32,000 square foot administration building will be named Gonzmart Hall in honor of Gonzmart, who graduated in 1971.

Gonzmart launched the silent phase of the school’s $40 million capital campaign with a $1 million donation in 2013. He later raised his gift to campaign with another $1.5 million.

Gonzmart Hall is scheduled to open in December and will act as the new “face” of the school on Himes Avenue. The hall will house the school’s administration, IT department, counseling offices, language classrooms and student activities offices.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross, the other major structure in Phase I, is scheduled to be dedicated in the spring of 2018. Hermes announced the John Oliva Family Courtyard, named after the 1960 alumnus, which will link the new chapel and Gonzmart Hall.

Oliva made one of several $1-million gifts to For Greater Glory, and is the campaign’s co-chair along with Gonzmart and 1984 graduate Joe Capitano.

The new Performing Arts Center will be located on the northeast section of the campus, partially located on the current senior parking lot. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2019.

Other Phase II projects include a state-of-the-art press box for Corral Memorial Stadium, home of the school’s football, soccer, lacrosse and track and field programs.

Future Campus Master Plan developments include a new science and math building named in honor of 1975 graduate Richard Stephen Jenkins. Jenkins and his wife, Carole, made a $2.5 million donation to Jesuit last year.

Other planned developments include a collegiate-style Student Activities Center with an adjacent dining hall.

Images courtesy of Jesuit High School