Pardon Our Dust

Since the beginning of the academic year, we’ve been working diligently on campus improvements. The Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center opened at the end of the swimming season in the fall and hosted the Class 3A District 12 Swimming Championships.

The first impression many people have of the school is when they enter campus through the main lobby. For decades that area has gone relatively untouched and a renovation is more than past due. However, like others, this project wouldn’t be able to come to fruition without the generosity of many. In this case, Belen mom Patricia Paredes lent us her talent as an architect and designed the new layout. Alumni Oscar Echegaray '91, Ernie Aviñó '92, Carlos Aviñó '95, Javier Cantens '95, Javier Aviñó '96 and Marmol Export USA stepped up to help turn her vision into a reality. The project was completed in November.

In 2009, the Guillermo F. Kohly Auditorium was repurposed and renovated to  create the Communication Arts and Multimedia Center. The WBLN studio and program were instantly a success with the student body and housed the latest technology. Over the years, the studio has seen upgrades, but a massive studio renovation was needed. “The students had been asking for a new news desk and set, so when the President of JIS Construction Management Inc Javier Cantens ‘95 reached out to me about a desk he had, it was as if it was meant to be,” said Belen teacher and WBLN coordinator Johnny Calderin ‘92. Acquiring the desk was the first step and from there, the team at JIS helped the dream of a completely new set become a reality. The project was completed in September.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma hit South Florida. By in large, Belen Jesuit was spared any major damage. However,  the batting cages and awnings in the baseball field were damaged. As plans for new baseball batting cages began, so did the the willingness of Belen dad Roberto Curbelo Jr. to lead the charge. Now, after a year of planning and construction, the state of the art batting cages are set to debut just in time for the 2019 baseball season.

Campus security has been on the forefront of everyone's mind in recent years. At the beginning of the summer, Campus Security Director Wilfred Cruz was hired to enhance our security protocols. Taking advantage of the lobby renovation project, a Campus Security control room was built. A new perimeter fence was also installed around the entire campus and visitors are now required to check in at guard stations at the entrance gates and follow strict guidelines for being on campus.

The newest project underway is the construction of the Arroyo Quad. On November 28, the old pool was demolished to make way for this new green space on campus which will pay homage to the Jesuit priests and brothers who worked at Belen in Miami and have passed away. Architect Johnny Medina ‘77 designed the park. “My hope is that this garden will be a place where generations of alumni will come to celebrate Belen’s rich history and honor those priests that served the school,” said Medina. This project will be completed before the end of the current school year and is made possible thanks to the generous gift by the de la Cruz family.

Still to come is the construction of the Our Lady of Belen Chapel. In August of 2017, Jesuit Father Willie García-Tuñón ‘87 unveiled the Strategic Plan. The first of the four pillars was a call to enhance our Catholic, Jesuit identity and at the top of the list was the construction of the chapel. “The dream is to have a place on campus where the spiritual and sacramental needs of the whole school community can be addressed,” said Father Willie.  Architect Jorge Hernandez '74 has worked closely with Father Willie to design the chapel and select the artwork which will be featured inside. This project is scheduled to begin in 2019, with an anticipated completion date of 2021.

“We have so many things to be grateful for at Belen Jesuit,” said Director of Plant Operations Rick Echeverria '84. “We have been blessed to complete many campus enhancement projects and still have more in the pipeline.  Construction of the The Goizueta Center where the STEAM program will be housed is set to begin at the end of 2019 and will be completed by August 2020. Other projects include a clinic, coaches offices and a Field House. The future is bright.”

These projects wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for the generosity of many people. We continue to strive for greatness and need your help in achieving our goal. If you would like to contribute to the vision of the school, please contact Phil Fernandez ’94 at ffernandez@belenjesuit.org or call him at 305-804-7683.