8 High-Profile: Up-Front

July 2026

Edward P. Hardiman, Thomas P. Riley, and representatives from PROCON, Flansburgh Architects and Scalora Consulting Group at the groundbreaking ceremony

Danvers, MA— St. John’ s Prep broke ground on the Memorial Student Commons on June 4, marking a major milestone in the school’ s Vision 2032 strategic plan and launching a transformative renovation and expansion project designed to reimagine one of the school’ s most historic buildings.

Head of School Edward P. Hardiman, Ph. D., P’ 19’ 21’ 26; Board Chair Thomas P. Riley’ 75 P’ 02; members of the board of trustees; project partners from Flansburgh Architects, PROCON, and Scalora Consulting Group; representatives from Salem Five Bank and SAGE Dining Services; alumni; donors; and community supporters gathered to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony included remarks from Hardiman and Riley, as well as a blessing offered by Deacon Joseph Jasinski’ 06.

The Memorial Student Commons is a cornerstone project within Vision 2032 and represents a significant investment in the future of St. John’ s Prep. Construction is beginning during Memorial Dining Hall’ s centennial year. Originally built in 1926, the building has served as a gathering place for generations of Prep students.

The new Memorial Student Commons is designed to transform Memorial Dining Hall into a modern, welcoming space that better serves the needs of today’ s students

Thomas P. Riley and Edward P. Hardiman at the grounbreaking ceremony

“ The Memorial Student Commons represents our commitment to creating spaces that strengthen relationships and support the formation of young men,” said Hardiman.“ For nearly 100 years, Memorial Dining Hall has been a gathering place for our community. This transformation honors that legacy while creating a vibrant center where students can connect with one another and experience the relationship-centered

Rendering of Memorial Student Commons

environment that is at the heart of a St. John’ s Prep education.”

The Memorial Student Commons project is designed by Flansburgh Architects and will be constructed by PROCON and guided by Scalora Consulting Group in its role as owner’ s representative. Salem Five Bank is the project’ s lending partner, and St. John’ s Prep is partnering with SAGE Dining Services to create a dining experience designed to reflect the evolving needs of today’ s students and support the Commons’ role as the heart of daily campus life.

“ PROCON is proud to serve as construction manager for the Memorial Student Commons, a project that beautifully honors St. John’ s Prep’ s century-long legacy while creating a dynamic space for the next generation of students. Our team is committed to delivering a facility that reflects the school’ s mission and the community’ s vision— one that will serve as the heart of campus life for years to come,” said Michael Yeatman, chief construction officer at PROCON.

Construction is expected to continue throughout the 2026-2027 academic year, with the Memorial Student Commons scheduled to open in August 2027 for the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

Mechanical Contractors Association

We offer membership within the Mechanical Contractors Association, Mechanical Service Contractors Association, and the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau. We support our member contractors through our educational seminars, labor and government relations, industry news and marketing. Committed to the future of our industry, we sponsor MCA student chapter at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Our affiliation with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America and our strong, cooperative relationship with the United Association enable us to offer our members numerous opportunities to build lasting, beneficial relationships with peers while acquiring the business knowledge and tools to keep their company successful.

617.405.4221 www. nemca. org @ NewEnglandMCA

Rendering of Memorial Student Commons dining area www. high-profile. com