Page 5 - Priorities #15 2001-July

When a vacancy opened on Priory’s board of trustees several years ago, Father Martin knew someone who was perfect for the job. With a comprehensive study of campus facilities needs on the agenda, he knew the board would greatly benefit from the expertise and experience of Al Ebneter...and he was right. As Al begins his third year on the Board, his work is actively contributing to the changes that will shape the face of the campus in the years to come.
A mutual friend introduced Father Martin and Al Ebneter some years ago because they shared an interest in woodworking. Until 1990, Al owned Architectural Wood Products in San Francisco. The company manufactured and installed fine woodwork in commercial buildings. Over the years the two men became good friends and it was at Al’s San Francisco woodworking plant that Father Martin machined the wood for the pews in the Priory chapel.
When the Priory board needed a member with experience in the construction field, Father Martin knew just who to call.
Al has an active, hands-on role. He works closely with other members of the board and administration, as well as architects and contractors, on the design for new facilities, project costs, and supervision of ongoing construction at the Priory.
His experience in the field—from the design phase, to the approval process, to bidding, to actual construction—have been an invaluable aid to the board and administration.
Al’s overall vision for the future of Priory’s facilities is “to enhance the Priory by providing additional space for students and faculty while preserving the ‘community’ atmosphere of the campus.”
For example, the critical need for faculty housing has led to the current extensions of the junior and senior residence halls. The new three-bedroom units will provide a separate living space for the residential life staff. They are large enough for a family, but they fit comfortably within the existing campus space.
Trustee Profile
Similarly, Al is working closely with others at the Priory to design additional faculty housing located on the knoll, slated to begin construction this summer. As everyone who reads the papers knows, providing faculty housing is vital for retaining top- notch teachers.
Al is perhaps most excited, though, about the preliminary design and layout for a possible new auditorium (to replace the current Assembly Hall). Given the cost of construction, the difficulty in the approval process, and the need for good stewardship of campus resources, cost-efficient, multi-use space has been a top priority in developing the Priory Master Plan.
The auditorium will be designed to include flexible space that can function as a performing arts hall, a general Assembly Hall, a site for school dances and local community events, or even a space for larger religious services. It will also include classrooms and office space for performing arts faculty, storage for instruments, dressing rooms, a wood shop for designing and building props, and much more. Even more important, Al explains, this crucial building will free up existing space for other vital uses. The library can expand into the Assembly Hall (see pages 8-11). The library space would then house student services.
A twenty-one year resident of Woodside, Al and his wife, Susanne, enjoy frequent visits with their five children and 13 grandchildren, and they also have a passion for travel. They’ve just returned from Holland and have journeyed to Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, the Greek Islands, Australia, New Zealand, China and many more destinations. They also enjoy fishing and hiking, and Al finds time for some occasional woodworking.
Despite his busy life, Al continues to find much time and energy for the Priory...and the community truly benefits from his invaluable service.
-L. McDermott
Al Ebneter
Lives in Woodside, CA Wife: Susanne
Family: Five children, 13 grandchildren
Favorite activities:
Woodworking, fishing, hiking, travel
WPS Assignment: Facilities
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When the Priory Board of Trustees needed a member with experience in the construction field, Father Martin knew just who to call.