July 15, 2009

Mother Cabrini Shrine gets road repaved

What is more than 1.5 miles long, winding, driven upon daily in all weather conditions, starts at an elevation of 6,800 feet and ends at 7,200 feet? 

If you guessed the road to Mother Cabrini Shrine, a pilgrimage site located in the foothills of Golden and visited by 100,000 people annually from all around the world, you would be correct. 

Last paved in 1986, the road to this historical Colorado landmark just minutes from downtown Denver has been in dire need of repair. 

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who operate the shrine, and their staffers were hesitant to take on the $340,000 repaving project.  But delaying the project was not an option. 

“After going through the bidding process several times over the past couple of years, with several paving companies, a rare and amazing thing happened,” said JoAnn Seaman, development director at the shrine. “Rather than the normal competitive way of doing business, two local companies are collaborating in a unique way to solve the road problem.”

  The two family-owned companies, APC (Asphalt Paving Company) and Rocky Mountain Pavement, are working together, each contributing their own specialties.

“We are very grateful to both companies for their generosity, especially during these difficult economic times,” said Sister Bernadette Casciano, shrine administrator.

To help pay for the repaving project, the shrine is holding a drawing for a new limited edition Brabus Smart car. Tickets are $100 or two for $150. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.

Tickets can be purchased at the shrine.

The lucky winning ticket will be drawn the evening of the upcoming Mother Cabrini Shrine Gala, which is set for 6 p.m. July 24 at the Pinnacle Club at the Grand Hyatt in Denver. 

Gala tickets are $125 per person. For more information, visit mothercabrinishrine.org or call 303-526-0758.