The Groundbreaking Ceremony and program for the renovation of the St. Joseph Athletic Facility was held on Monday, December 1, 2025 at the St. Joseph School Gymnasium. More than 200 people attended and saw the Kansas City Chiefs and LISC present a $250,000 grant award to St. Joseph.

Watch a replay of the event here. 

At the conclusion of the program, a brief ceremonial blessing and "dig" was held outside at Mirocke Stadium.

Special guests and members of the media joined Archdiocesan, civic and community leaders at the event, which marked an important milestone of the Generations Growing Together campaign to renovate the stadium and Early Education Center.

FOSTERING COMMUNITY THROUGH SPORTS

St. Joseph is revitalizing its former high school football field (at Mirocke Stadium) by refurbishing it into a multi-purpose youth athletic facility to serve the greater community. When completed in summer 2026, the St. Joseph Athletic Facility will be a regional hub for youth sports serving thousands of families in the Kansas City metro area, fostering physical health, inclusive participation, and community cohesion throughout Shawnee and beyond.

There is no other grade school facility in the area that is designed for such versatile use by Catholic families and is widely available to other community groups for athletic activities and events. Highlights include:

• The facility will be the only dedicated youth tackle & flag football field in the Catholic Youth Organization’s regional network.
• The high-quality turf will be adaptable for youth soccer and lacrosse, promoting multipurpose sports usage.
• A family-friendly track and field will host track practices and encourage healthy activity across ages.
• Enhanced amenities—lighting, sound, video scoreboard, accessible restrooms, fencing, and parking—ensure safe and inclusive access.
• Affordable sports programs will be widely available to CYO, Special Olympics Kansas, and other community youth and adult groups.
• The facility provides a desirable location for companies and brands to reach thousands of families engaged in community-building and recreational activities.
• Frequent use by community partners creates sustainable programming opportunities and vibrancy in downtown Shawnee.

HELP GET THE CAMPAIGN OVER THE GOAL LINE

Your support of the Generations Growing Together campaign is needed and appreciated. Your tax-deductible gift can make a transformational impact in our community. Donate at GenerationsCampaign.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Learn more about the Athletic Facility improvements.