Sr. Gervaise Valpey, OP Community Center and Aquatics Complex

San Domenico School, a day and boarding school in San Anselmo, California serving students in three levels from pre-K through 12th grade, was founded by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael in 1850 and today ushers in a new era of Panthers athletics with the addition of a state-of-the-art competition-size pool and locker room facility to serve the whole community. The highly anticipated project represents the first major new building project on campus in 20 years.

The complex has been named in honor of Sister Gervaise Valpey, San Domenico President Emerita, and a beloved and influential member of the San Domenico community. Sister Gervaise was instrumental in moving the 171-year-old school to its current 515-acre location in San Anselmo over 50 years ago. She also lived on campus for more than 50 years. An inspiration, mentor, and spiritual presence for many in our global San Domenico family, Sister Gervaise continues to be an integral part of SD’s program.

This long-awaited project is the first major new building project on campus in 20 years. The new complex will provide best-in-class facilities for San Domenico’s K-12 interscholastic swimming and water polo programs as well as physical education and cross-training. The competition-size pool is 30 meters long, 25 yards wide, boasts 12 swimming lanes; and amenities include showers, a beautiful pool deck, and a grassy area. Phase to is a Community Center that is slated to begin construction behind the pool very soon, completing the complex. The pool was designed by Aquatic Design Group, one of the top aquatics architectural firms in California that designed competition pools for UC Berkeley and Stanford University.

On Saturday, April 30, 2022, Sisters, faculty, benefactors, families, and friends gathered under breezy blue skies for the blessing of the new pool at the Sr. Gervaise Valpey, OP Community Center and Aquatics Complex. Planned to coincide with Alumni Reunion weekend, the poolside soirée allowed Sisters to enjoy mixing and mingling with alumni, faculty, and parents against the stunning backdrop of a beautiful new pool. Congratulations to all who worked to make this possible and to the scores of student-athletes who will find joy and happiness in the beauty and function of this new facility.