[StBernard] Plans unveiled for new Hannan High

[Westley Annis]

Plans unveiled for new Hannan High
Posted by By Ginger Gibson June 02, 2007 2:04PM
Their St. Bernard Parish campus destroyed by the flood, Archbishop Hannan
High School officials on Saturday unveiled long-awaited designs for a new
facility in Covington.

Designed to serve 500 to 800 students, the new campus will comprise four
buildings, including a two-story classroom building, a gymnasium with
bleacher seating for 1,000 people and a stand-alone cafeteria with outdoor
dining. It is expected to open by fall 2008 and replace the school's
temporary north shore location at St. Joseph Abbey.

Retired Archbishop Philip Hannan, the school's namesake, joined school
officials in revealing the designs during a morning presentation in
Covington. The event drew about 200 people, mostly Hannan students, their
parents and neighbors to the Coquille Sports Complex, which is adjacent to
the of the 22-acre school site at the corner of state highways 1077 and
1085. The archbishop, 94, suffered a slight stroke two months ago and has
made only rare public appearances in recent years. 

While the crowd offered cheers and applause for the construction plans, the
event - like so many gatherings of St. Bernard residents who have relocated
to St. Tammany Parish since the flood - also proved somber. Attendees wiped
away tears as a they watched video-projected images of football games and
graduations at the original Hannan campus in Meraux. 

Newly appointed Principle John Cavell said the event provided tangible proof
that Hannan is on the rebound, despite skepticism expressed in recent months
by some parents.