Bishop John M. D’Arcy today gave his blessing to the possible construction of a new St. Joseph’s High school on the current South Bend site of St. Joseph’s Medical Center.

However, the bishop didn’t appear overly optimistic about the chances that the proposed project would become a reality. “I would say 50-50, but the people here think better,” said Bishop D’Arcy of the Fort Wayne—South Bend Diocese. “It’s a lot of money for one institution.”

When St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center announced it would leave South Bend, it offered to donate its South Bend site to St. Joseph’s High School.

Today, Bishop D’Arcy officially accepted the offer on the high school’s behalf—albeit—conditionally.

“The cost of a new construction must be raised which we estimate at $35.5 million,” the bishop said.

D’Arcy further decided that the money had to be raised by June of 2011.

St. Joe faculty member Kathy Utz said she was 100-percent sure that the fundraising goal would be met. “I’m just thrilled, I feel like crying, it’s been wonderful. I’ve been here 20-years and this is such an important tying for our school and our community to do.”

The bishop made it clear that if fundraising efforts for a new building fall short—he wants to move on to a plan ‘B.’ “If you start with the possibility of the new building, you at least have a fall back if it doesn’t work.”

In this case, the bishop’s fall back plan would involve raising $26 million needed to renovate the St Joe building where it has stood since 1954.

For his money, St. Joe alumni and one time candidate for Indiana Governor James Schellinger believes its time for the school to start fresh. “Educational things have changed since I was here back in the 70’s, from ’74 to ’78 here at St. Joe and just a whole new way of designing school buildings that are more flexible and functional and to be able to do that in a new building it will be much more efficient design.”

Schellinger is an architect who has been involved in master planning efforts for both sites.