Costa Catholic Academy, displaced to a temporary location to start the 2023-24 school year because of extensive water damage to the school, hopes to return to its home base after Christmas break.
The 147 students students at Costa have been attending classes at McAteer Center on the campus of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Downtown Galesburg since Sept. 5.
Costa Principal Julie Purl said she anticipates classes resuming at its 2726 Costa Dr. location on Jan. 2.
“Things have worked out extraordinarily well at our temporary location,” Purl said. “The teachers are growing a little weary because it’s been a huge transition. They’re not complaining, but they are looking forward to getting back to our school.
“We have been blessed with teachers who have been willing to adapt.”
Destination downtown: Costa Catholic Academy settles on temporary location
The school, which has students from pre-school through 8th grade, announced Aug. 3 that extensive building damage from a pair of summer storms would delay the start of classes and cause the school to seek a temporary location for the start of the upcoming school year.
Purl said it a combination of ongoing roof repairs and a cracked drainage pipe followed by several rain storms this past summer led to the damage.
Costa students and staff will return to a school with new carpet, fresh paint and some new furnishings.
“Not all parts of the school damaged,” Purl said. “Some rooms were completely untouched.”
Purl said things have worked out so well at McAteer Center that some students and parents will be sad to leave the downtown location.
“The children have liked it so much, some have told their parents they want to stay here the whole year,” Purl said. “And I’ve had parents tell me that, too.”
Ideal fall weather and the urban setting of the McAteer Center has enabled Costa students to experience many walking field trips to various businesses and governmental bodies located in Downtown Galesburg.
“We have a beautiful, quiet space at Costa — it’s a great place to learn,” Purl said. “However, the fact we’ve had the opportunity to have so many field trips to so many places downtown have been great.
“It’s been amazing to see how welcoming people have been. It’s different to be in an urban setting, but it’s worked out well. Being within walking distance of our amazing downtown has really been a blessing.”
Purl also noted the outpouring of community support for the school.
“The community has really embraced us,” she said. “They have blessed our teachers with so many things, from supplies to prayers.”
The 12-day delay to the start of the school year has forced Costa to adjust its school calendar. Students and staff have attended classes on optional holidays such as Columbus Day and Veterans Day, and they will have slightly shortened breaks over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
