Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Pius X Catholic High School in Lincoln has begun construction on a $28.7 million expansion, marking its largest facilities project in two decades. The initiative, part of the “Forward in Faith and Excellence” campaign, aims to improve the school’s athletics facilities, performing arts center, and chapel, with completion expected in 2027.

The groundbreaking event on October 5 included Mass led by Bishop James Conley. Community members, project leaders, and donors attended a reception following the ceremony.

Chief Administrative Officer Jeremy Ekeler described the current state of the school’s athletic facilities: “Those locker room facilities are original to the school. They look the exact same as when I was a student here, except maybe a little more run down.

“We host boys’ and girls’ basketball games on the same night,” Ekeler continued. “And because of our locker room space, we have to have our teams find classrooms to change in so our opponents can use our locker room space. That’s not OK.”

The new athletics upgrades will cost $6.4 million and will increase the number of interior locker rooms from two to five. The project also includes an expanded weight room, relocating the wrestling room to the second floor, and adding a new indoor training facility.

In addition to sports improvements, the campaign will fund a new performing arts center at a cost of $15.95 million. This center will feature theater seating for more than 600 people, an expanded stage, modern lighting and sound systems, and new spaces for drama classes and backstage activities. The school plans for this facility to better accommodate large band and choir concerts as well as theater productions.

Chapel renovations are also planned at a cost of $3.6 million. The upgraded chapel will expand seating from 140 to 325 and include additional confessionals and space for sacred music ministry. Bishop Conley noted the growth in spiritual life at Pius X: “The space has grown too small, because the spiritual life at Pius has grown so big. We’ve seen in recent years our vocations are coming more and more from our Catholic schools. Many of our future priests and future religious sisters are being formed here.”

Courtney Johnson, executive director of the Pius X Foundation, emphasized the need for this campaign: “Pius X has a long history of being Lincoln’s only Catholic high school, a school that was built on sacrificial giving. But it has now been 20 years since Pius X High School’s last campaign; investing in our facilities is long overdue. It’s important now, more than ever, that we continue to rally behind our school. Now is the time to move Pius X ‘Forward in Faith and Excellence!’”

So far, over $17 million has been raised during the initial phase of fundraising which began in August 2024. Catholic parishes across Lincoln are working toward raising another $10 million for both school improvements and parish projects.

As a private institution serving about 1,100 students—double its original capacity—Pius X does not receive taxpayer funding for these upgrades but relies on community support. The school reports that its operations save Lincoln-area residents approximately $15 million annually in taxes.

Strategic planning and feasibility studies guided the funding priorities for this campaign. Recent progress includes demolition of old performing arts spaces during summer 2025 and completion of additional parking near tennis courts before the start of fall classes.

Further details about the campaign can be found at piusx.net/campaign.