1982 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1982 Yearbook
Description
THE
LECLAIR
AFFAIR
On July 25, 1885, during the laying of
the cornerstone for the first building on
the college's campus, Fr. J.P. Ryan,
Pastor of Marquerite's, made a prediction. He said, "This little seed that we
have planted here today will grow and
develop, and its influence will be felt in
the community, in the diocese, and in
the entire state."
LeClair Gymnasium, when built in
1916, was considered a remarkable
achievement in design for athletic
field houses. This building, directly
behind Ambrose Hall, consisted of a
gym, or exercise room, about one
hundred by sixty feet in size with a
circular track suspended above. Underneath was a swimming pool, filtered by the most modern system
known at that time, private lockers,
showers, toilets, and storage space.
For the two hundred people using
those facilities, LeClaire Gym was
considered more than adequate. The
years, however, have etched their
wear upon its face. By the summer of
1963, the gym needed a face lift, so
the college remodeled and modernized it. Unfortunately, by the late
70's, LeClaire Gymnasium just
could not accomodate the activities
of all the students. The college had
multiplied itself ten times since the
beginning of the century and LeClaire sagged under the weight. New
facilities were a necessity. Subsequently, plans for a new physical activities center began to evolve.
On 11 October '81, at noon, St Ambrose College representatives overturned the first shovel of dirt to signify the start of construction. Those
partaking in this groundbreaking
ceremony included the Most Rev.
Gerald F. O'Keefe D.D., Bishop of
Davenport, who blessed the site, and
the groundbreakers (from left) architect Harold Stewart of Stewart
and Associates; faculty members
Bob Duax and Leo Kilfoy; President
of the Student Government Rob Phi-
libert; Mrs. Wm. Bakrow; President
Bakrow; and Co-Chairman of the
Centennial Countdown Robert J.
Gerstenberger. By the end of November, the houses standing on the
far northeast corner of campus were
demolished, clearing the site for the
new center.
60
LECLAIR
AFFAIR
On July 25, 1885, during the laying of
the cornerstone for the first building on
the college's campus, Fr. J.P. Ryan,
Pastor of Marquerite's, made a prediction. He said, "This little seed that we
have planted here today will grow and
develop, and its influence will be felt in
the community, in the diocese, and in
the entire state."
LeClair Gymnasium, when built in
1916, was considered a remarkable
achievement in design for athletic
field houses. This building, directly
behind Ambrose Hall, consisted of a
gym, or exercise room, about one
hundred by sixty feet in size with a
circular track suspended above. Underneath was a swimming pool, filtered by the most modern system
known at that time, private lockers,
showers, toilets, and storage space.
For the two hundred people using
those facilities, LeClaire Gym was
considered more than adequate. The
years, however, have etched their
wear upon its face. By the summer of
1963, the gym needed a face lift, so
the college remodeled and modernized it. Unfortunately, by the late
70's, LeClaire Gymnasium just
could not accomodate the activities
of all the students. The college had
multiplied itself ten times since the
beginning of the century and LeClaire sagged under the weight. New
facilities were a necessity. Subsequently, plans for a new physical activities center began to evolve.
On 11 October '81, at noon, St Ambrose College representatives overturned the first shovel of dirt to signify the start of construction. Those
partaking in this groundbreaking
ceremony included the Most Rev.
Gerald F. O'Keefe D.D., Bishop of
Davenport, who blessed the site, and
the groundbreakers (from left) architect Harold Stewart of Stewart
and Associates; faculty members
Bob Duax and Leo Kilfoy; President
of the Student Government Rob Phi-
libert; Mrs. Wm. Bakrow; President
Bakrow; and Co-Chairman of the
Centennial Countdown Robert J.
Gerstenberger. By the end of November, the houses standing on the
far northeast corner of campus were
demolished, clearing the site for the
new center.
60
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/7035