Medicine Hat Catholic showcases Holy Trinity Academy; fundraising campaign reaches $1.2M

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A capital campaign that began in March to fund facility improvements has raised $1.2 million of the $5 million goal.

MHBCE fundraising co-ordinator Amanda Fedor said the funds will support expanded athletic facilities, an accessible playground and other school spaces.

Almost half of the funds, $2.4 million, is earmarked to bring the school’s gyms up to Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association standards, providing full-size high school gymnasiums.

Building an accessible, barrier-free playground also requires $1 million.

Fedor said there are a range of sponsorship opportunities, with naming rights available for 25 years and tax receipts provided. She adds that payment plans can also be arranged.

Sponsorships range from $1,000 for a theatre seat, up to $500,000 for each of the two gyms, or $1 million for the theatre.

Holy Trinity Academy is expected to offer more than a new learning space for students, with its gymnasiums and theatre also set to provide additional facilities for the Medicine Hat community.

Beyond its role in Catholic education,

MHCBE superintendent Dwayne Zarichny said the facility will give community groups more options for hosting activities and events.

The gymnasiums will provide additional space for sports and recreation, while the theatre is designed to serve groups that need a properly equipped performance space without requiring a large venue.

“For clubs that don’t need a huge theatre, but still need a properly equipped theatre for their work or what they’re doing, this is going to be a perfect spot for them,” Zarichny said.

“I think Medicine Hat is going to become quite fond of this facility very quickly.”

Zarichny said that seeing the building take shape has helped people better understand what the school will offer when it opens.

“Every time we walk through, we always learn something new about it,” Zarichny said.

“For example, in the theatre, the lighting apparatus that’s used to hold all the lighting for productions, in this theatre, it’s going to drop down to the floor, so students can actually work on it, and then it’ll go right back up to the ceiling again,” he added.

“In terms of that accessibility and using the newest technology available in education, it’s exciting to be part of this.”

Zarichny is set to retire in the fall of 2027, and said that he sees the project as a significant milestone in his career.

“It’s absolutely exciting, and I’ve always wanted to be part of a build from start to finish. I’ve been involved in parts of builds, but never one from start to finish,” Zarichny said.

“So to be part of this project and to be completed before I retire is really exciting for me. It really represents a capstone to my career.”

He said multi-purpose facilities will be important as Medicine Hat continues to grow.

“I think this is really important for Medicine Hat to grow; it needs facilities that can be used for more than one purpose,” Zarichny said.

Fedor said several community members have already stepped forward to support the campaign, including Mark and Jody Dumanowski, who contributed $60,000 toward the school’s Sacred Space and its restored windows.

The stained glass windows originally belonged to St. Teresa’s Academy and have been preserved and restored for the new space.

Fedor said they are an important part of the community’s Catholic education history and will face the same direction they did at the former academy, overlooking the valley.

Fedor said organizers remain optimistic about reaching the campaign goal and are grateful for the community partners who have contributed so far.

She is encouraging service clubs and other community groups interested in learning more about the project to get in touch, including groups that would like her to speak at a meeting about sponsorship opportunities.

Students from nearby St. Francis Xavier School are expected to move into Holy Trinity Academy in March 2027, allowing demolition of St. FX to make way for a playground and parking lot.

Holy Trinity Academy will also bring together students from two schools, St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s, in the fall of 2027.