Heelan gets big donation to help build new high school - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Sioux City's Bishop Heelan High School will receive a big grant to help build the new fine arts wing when construction begins.

The Gilchrist Foundation has awarded $125,000 to the school's capital campaign.

It was founded by the late Jocelyn Gilchrist, a local resident with several interests including art, music, and wildlife.

Heelan plans to break ground this fall on phase one of the new high school project. It'll feature a performing arts theater, classrooms for band, vocal music and art, along with work areas.

The theatre will seat more than 600 people when complete.

"We are thankful for this generous grant from the Gilchrist Foundation. Its impact will be felt by thousands of individuals in the years ahead," says Dan Ryan, BHCS interim president. "Our music programs have grown and attract more than half of the high school student body. Our new high school, with its fine arts wing, will offer students new opportunities to reach their greatest potential."

Currently band, vocal music and theater students perform in the Heelan gymnasium, which was designed in the late 1940s.