4 Practical Design Tips for Budget-Conscious School Construction Projects
In today's world of social media, Pinterest, and educational influencers, creativity is playing an increasingly vital role in education and child care. And most educators operating on a shoe-string budget can feel overwhelmed. As a leader preparing for your school construction project, you have likely heard exciting requests from future members of your school community: full-scale musicals, large art studios, computer rooms, and clubs of all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, not all schools have the budget to realize these requests. Creating modern, functional schools within tight budget constraints can be challenging. But the good news is that with thoughtful planning [...]
Optimizing the Post-Construction Process for Better Outcomes
It was the year 1395 when stone masons set the last brick to mark the completion of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Picture the pride of religious leaders as they admired centuries' worth of work and devotion, now brought to life. But instead of opening the doors immediately to the public, they needed to take meticulous steps to ensure the cathedral was ready for the community (and beyond). Fast-forward to the 21st century. Despite the enormous strides made in construction (it no longer takes 200 years for a project to be complete!), the post-construction process is still of the utmost [...]
4 Tips for Effective School Construction for STEM Education
Meet Sara, a fourteen-year-old student who became fascinated with coding after being introduced to robotics at summer camp. However, as she entered high school, she was devastated to learn that her school was not equipped to teach the skill—not because the teachers were not knowledgeable but because there simply wasn’t enough room for a maker space. STEM education just wasn’t at the forefront of the school’s design or curriculum. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education lies at the heart of modern learning because it is the basis of everyday life for children and adults. STEM equips students with the [...]
Choosing a Church Capital Campaign Consultant? 5 Red Flags to Look For and Key Questions to Help You See Them
Butter or margarine? Soup or salad? Paper or plastic? Highway or back roads? Most of life’s decisions are benign. It’s rare to face a life-altering choice. When you stand at a pivotal crossroads, you must have a trustworthy guide to help you make the best decision possible. Let's focus on one defining moment in a church's life —a construction project. Whether taking on a new build, addition, or renovation, it’s a high-stakes proposition. The decisions made during this time will become blessings to enjoy – or – challenges to overcome for the foreseeable future. One of the most important decisions [...]
4 Viable Strategies to Combat the Senior Living Labor Shortage
"What’s it like having five kids?" Jim Gaffigan recalls being asked. The comedian replied, "Imagine you’re drowning. And someone hands you a baby!" If you’re an executive in the senior living field, this may describe how you feel. Your work is essential. It requires a high level of specialized skill and a deep well of compassion to provide the care residents and their loved ones deserve. Times are tough, though. Special funding provided during the Covid pandemic is ending. Well-intended regulations are imposing unintended difficulties. Hiring and retaining quality staff is exceptionally challenging; operating margins are low. Moreover, burnout rates [...]
Embracing Partnership and Innovation: A Reflection on Collaboration with Wisconsin Lutheran College and Catalyst Construction
As I reflect on my journey with Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) over the past 16 years, one significant partnership stands out: our collaboration with Catalyst Construction. This relationship not only transformed our campus but also reinforced the principles of trust, stewardship, and innovation that are vital to our mission of preparing Christian leaders. The Beginning of a Partnership When I began my tenure as President in 2008, WLC was a smaller institution with 600 students. Today, we are blessed with a record enrollment of approximately 1,100 students, thanks in part to the strategic growth initiatives and building projects we've undertaken [...]
Catalyst Construction and Moss Universal Park: Pioneering the Future of Inclusive Recreation
Catalyst Construction is proud to announce its participation in constructing the Moss Universal Park, a groundbreaking project aimed at creating a universally inclusive park that goes beyond the playground and brings access from the forest to the baseball field, an all-inclusive playground to picnic areas, restrooms to sensory rooms. Every activity in Moss Universal Park is designed to be fully inclusive for families and individuals impacted by disabilities. But this park goes beyond that—it will intentionally be built for ‘everyBODY’, ensuring universal community access, so ‘noBODY’ feels left out. Scheduled to break ground in Spring 2025 and open by Fall [...]
Catalyst Construction Partners with Apostolic Truth Church for New Church Campus
Catalyst Construction is proud to announce its collaboration with Apostolic Truth Church (ATC) of Appleton, Wisconsin, on an exciting new project that marks a significant milestone for the local community. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church campus took place on June 9, signaling the beginning of a transformative development on the north side of Appleton. The new ATC campus will feature a state-of-the-art worship center with seating for 950 people, extensive classroom and programming spaces, a dedicated youth center, and a children's area complete with a game room. Additionally, the campus will include a community room, a food pantry, [...]
5 Ways to Utilize Church Space During Summer
Have you ever wondered where your congregation goes during the summer months? Church leaders often say, “You can’t fight summer,” with calendars quickly filling up with picnics, parties, and vacations. It’s true that summer offers endless joy for families and communities alike, but preaching to half-full pews and empty worship halls can be disheartening for churches. The good news is that you can position your church as the central hub for sunny activities, laughing children, and joyful celebrations that honor God by optimizing your unused church spaces. With some planning and creativity, these vacant areas can become vibrant gathering points [...]
5 Construction Priorities That You Can’t Afford to Overlook
There are two types of people in this world. Those who make “to-do” lists – and those who rely on them! Which one are you? Knowing what to expect helps you prepare. Being prepared empowers you to be present. Like going on vacation. If you thought through everything you need and double-checked your luggage, you’ll be far better positioned to enjoy the ride. Of course, you don’t have to plan the life out of everything you engage in. Spontaneity has its place. But you don’t want to walk into your life’s biggest moments with a blindfold on. Taking on a [...]
