An expanded weight room at Roncalli High School has been named after their first varsity football coach.
The Ron Klestinski Weight Room was dedicated on Saturday (February 24th), with a large group of families, teachers, and some students attending.
After a blessing from Deacon Mark Knipp, everyone got the chance to look through the weight room, which has almost everything a regular gym would have.
Roncalli Catholic Schools President John Steltzer says it was time for an upgrade after students showed an interest in wanting more room to be able to work out, so the school was able to take down a wall and add more equipment.
Football Coach Paul Kinsella also had a role in finding out the school was eligible for a portion of a Green Bay Packers Foundation grant, which springboarded the project.
But once they got the grant, people started donating.
Roncalli Catholic Schools says this project cost an estimated nearly $85,000 and was made possible through the generosity of numerous donors and began in October 2021.
The weight room features an open-concept, industrial design with an exposed ceiling, new lighting, fresh wall paint color and signage, stereo and speaker system, TVs, and updated fitness equipment. Student-athletes, faculty, and staff are able to utilize the space.
In the end, the big focus of the day was Ron Klestinski, who was able to lead the Jets to their first state championship in 1969.
He passed away last year, but his family was there to honor their father, and his son Keith said a few words.
“I want to thank those of you who donated and beyond that to make this room happen,” he exclaimed. “Because I just think anything that can improve this is school is something that Ron would love to have seen.”
With the upgrade, Kinsella says now there is enough room for students to work out comfortably without it being too cramped.
Steltzer called it a grateful occasion and a good day to count the blessings of the school.
