Mankato-Kasota stone from the demolished Schoenecker Arena and Coughlan Field House are available to those who would like a piece of St. Thomas history.
(Editor's note: Stones are no longer available - 6/25/09)
Athletic history carved in Mankato-Kasota stone available for memento seekers
Mankato-Kasota stone from the demolished Schoenecker Arena and Coughlan Field House is available as a memento to anyone who wants to grab a little piece of St. Thomas athletic history.
St. Thomas has received several requests for the stones, which crews from Opus Northwest have placed on a pallet along the west side of the construction fence in Lot H, near the entrance from Cretin Avenue. That will make it easy for motorists to drive up to the pallet and take a stone or two.
Several individuals also have asked what will be done with the materials from the demolition of the two athletic buildings and Foley Theater.
Beth Duyvejonck, a project manager with Opus, said salvaged materials will be reused or recycled as much as the market and construction schedule will allow. These materials, including mechanical equipment, bleachers, lockers, wood floors, steel beams, steel reinforcing bars and copper, will be used on other projects and construction sites.
“The concrete, precast concrete and Mankato-Kasota stone will be crushed and used as a sub-grade base for road construction projects,” she said. “The stone was reviewed for a variety of reuse and recycling opportunities, but we determined it would be most viable to use in road projects given its condition once it was removed from the exterior walls.”
