Atlanta
SPX Dedicates Seaver Sports Complex
Published September 1, 2011
Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory blessed and dedicated the new Seaver Family Sports Complex on the campus of St. Pius X High School during a ceremony Aug. 22. The dedication of the new baseball field and multi-purpose athletic field completes the initial phase of the “Expanding Our Legacy” Capital Campaign launched in the fall of 2009 and is the first expansion of the St. Pius X campus since the school opened in 1958.
“It is with a great deal of pride and joy that we dedicate this land, the first opportunity to add new land to our campus in our 53-year history. This completed field is a tribute to every member of the St. Pius community who made this vision a reality,” said Steve Spellman, principal.
Completed this summer, the complex is named for Jim and Susan Lauria Seaver, 1964 graduates of St. Pius, and their son Chris, who graduated in 1995. The complex includes a synthetic turf baseball diamond and a synthetic turf multi-purpose field. Numerous school groups, including physical education classes, athletic teams and marching band members, will use the two fields. The baseball field is the only complete synthetic turf high school field in Georgia.
In 2006, the historic opportunity to purchase a tract of land adjacent to the St. Pius campus became available. An option to purchase this land was secured by friends of St. Pius X, and the purchase was made in 2008. The land and subsequent development of the 7.38-acre tract became the cornerstone for the “Expanding Our Legacy” Capital Campaign. The 2010 phase of the campaign, “The Fields of Dreams” initiative, sought a benchmark of $5 million to begin construction on the athletic complex. On Sept. 15, 2010, the benchmark was met through gifts and pledges, including two generous gifts totaling $1 million by anonymous donors.
The initial phase of the “Expanding Our Legacy” Capital Campaign was co-chaired by Dexter and Lori Lummus, 1980 St. Pius graduates. Over 1,300 donors made pledges in excess of $5.25 million to the project. This was the school’s first building initiative since the arts wing, cafeteria and stadium were rebuilt over eight years ago.
“We wish to thank all of those who have supported this project over the past few years. We are fortunate to have men and women of great faith, vision and the fortitude to undertake a project such as this in this unsettled time,” said David L. Buechner, director of development. “We are going to vigorously pursue the funding of the $2.75 million balance of the project that will complete this beautiful addition to the campus.”