Building Big Things at Apollo: What's Happening Next?

Big changes are coming to Apollo Campus in St. Cloud. Voters in School District 742 gave the green light to two major construction projects. The first one is a storm shelter and a secure entrance. The second is a new multi-purpose athletic facility. Both projects are set to kick off in 2026. The storm shelter project is a big deal. It will have seven phases and will take a while to finish. Construction will start in the summer of 2026 and will go on through the 2026-2027 school year. Some parts of the building will be off-limits at times, but the school will make adjustments. Early on, they will work on the ambulance bay and EMT classrooms. There's even a plan to move a shed near the pool to make room for the storm shelter construction. The athletic facility is exciting news for sports lovers. Since it's a brand-new building, construction can start in the spring of 2026 on the south side of the campus. It should be ready to use by the spring of 2027. The school is also adding more parking to handle the extra traffic. Signs will guide visitors to the new complex from the campus and nearby roads. But construction isn't the only thing on the school's mind. They are still looking for more substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Interested folks can apply on the district's employment website. The school is also working on contract settlements with staff. They've already settled three contracts and are aiming to wrap up the rest by the end of the year. Apollo Campus has a lot to celebrate lately. The Tech girls volleyball team earned "gold status" as an All-State academic team. That means every player on the team has a grade point average of 3. 75 or higher. Apollo and Tech also had several swimmers and divers compete at the state meet. Izzy Westling, who attends St. John's Prep, Apollo, and Cathedral, even won a state championship. Plus, 19 support staff members received education support staff awards for their hard work.