For decades, the pool and locker room facilities at St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys Catholic military high school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, had remained largely untouched since their construction in 1965. The building houses a competitive swim program that routinely brings home state championships.

However, the pool and locker rooms didn’t match the excellence of the school and its students.  “The metal lockers and partitions were rundown and in need of repairs or an overall update,” said Anne McQuillan, Director of Facilities, at St. Thomas Academy. “The pool is a very humid, wet area, so they were getting rusted. They were loud when opening and closing and not so sturdy.”

Balancing Durability, Design, and Dual Use

The locker rooms needed to serve two separate student populations. Since St. Thomas Academy and Visitation School share the aquatics center, the facilities had to be adaptable. During boys’ swim meets, visiting girls’ teams use the Visitation-designated locker room, and vice versa. That meant aesthetics, color schemes, and layout had to reflect both schools’ identities. With students constantly moving between the pool and locker areas, the space also required materials that could resist corrosion and bacteria growth while maintaining a polished look.

“We needed to reflect the school spirit, make it durable, achieve fire compliance, and keep it looking sharp,” said Fabiano. “Scranton Products helped us achieve that balance.”

Scranton Products’ Duralife Lockers® and Eclipse Partitions® were selected as the right fit for the job. Made from solid HDPE, the products are engineered to perform in humid, high-traffic environments without bending, rusting, or requiring repainting. Impermeable to moisture, the lockers and partitions do not support the growth of mold and mildew and will never rust*. They are specially designed to meet the demands of the school environment and keep maintenance costs low.

“We intentionally sought out materials that would be very durable in a humid, chlorinated environment,” said McQuillan. “The design team found the best product for our needs.”

Silence, Storage Space, and Privacy

The new aquatics center officially opened with a well-attended celebration, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Our students and staff love how quiet the new lockers are,” said McQuillan. “The larger size means students can fit everything inside instead of hanging towels outside, making the space look neat and tidy even when it’s in use.”

Since unveiling the renovated locker rooms, students and staff have noticed a dramatic improvement. The new lockers are quieter than the old metal ones, offer more space and better ventilation for wet gear, and the partitions provide much-needed privacy. The durable materials stand up to the demands of a busy school environment, and the fresh, modern look has energized the swim program.

“The ventilation in the lockers is important so students can store damp towels and swim gear,” Lomonico explained. “We also liked that Eclipse Partitions offered clean lines and higher privacy, which is especially important for helping high school students feel more comfortable.”

Duralife Lockers and Eclipse Partitions checked every box for the project team. “Affordability, design, and performance were all there,” Fabiano added. “We didn’t have to compromise.”

 To learn more about Scranton Products Eclipse Partitions or Duralife Lockers, please visit www.scrantonproducts.com or call 800-445-5148. 

About Scranton Products: 

With more than 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is the industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Endless design options and an array of designer colors and textures provide confidence and elegant style in every project, creating a lasting impression. Proudly made in the USA and constructed from premium-grade solid plastic, our products’ unmatched durability withstands impact, corrosion, graffiti and mildew. Backed by sustainable technologies and industry-leading warranties, with our partitions and lockers you are investing in peace of mind.