The Lumen Christi gymnasium was the dream of hundreds of parents, students,
teachers, and parishoners of St. Benedict's parish. The project was funded through private donations, special efforts through
the parish, and fundraisers headed by students and staff at Lumen Christi, most notably, the Bowlathon. The facility is complete
with a 94 foot hardwood court, bleacher capacity at 538, and room to comfortably view for over 800, as the recent 2A
2004 region tournament demonstrated, and concession stands.
It also features a second story with a windowed viewing deck, home and away
locker rooms, private bathrooms, offices, and most recently: a 2004 Basketball State Championship banner courtesy of the home
team Archangels.
The gymnasium is regularly used by St. Benedict's parish for youth activities
as well as recreation leagues in Anchorage who rent the facility to help offset the construction cost, which topped $2 million.
The beneficiaries of this beautiful building, especially the students of the school, are eternally grateful for the hard work
and sacrafice that made "the gym" possible.
Construction was started in October of 2002, and was completed in December 2003.
The building tops out at a whopping 27,000 square feet. It can be safey said that no 1A or 2A school in all
of Alaska has a gym of the calibur that Lumen Christi does. The court is an NBA regulation sized court. The floor scheme
can be modified easily to provide for: one basketball court, two basketball courts side by side. one, or two volleyball courts,
and just about any other indoor sport. It comes complete with an advanced remote operated scoreboard, and rudimentary board
on the opposite side.
For gym availability and reservation/renting information, contact Lumen Christi High School at 245-9231, or St. Benedict's
Catholic Parish at 243-2195.
