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The Savior Pastoral Center used to house aspiring priests. The center, with its landmark bell tower at 12601 Parallel Pkwy., was a minor seminary -- essentially a prep school for high school-age students who want to be priests -- from 1966 until the late 1980s. Now it's a convention center, and lodging and meeting place for organizations.

The facility of the archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., was renovated last year at a cost of $1.5 million, to add bathrooms to 41 bedrooms by narrowing the hallways and updating other rooms for meetings and conferences.

The archdiocese charges different rates for profit and not-for-profit organizations from room rates and to host conferences, workshops, seminars, banquets and celebrations for religious groups, service organizations and businesses.

Groups looking for a local meeting center are invited to visit the center.

"We want to get the word out and emphasize that the community is welcome to come for a tour," said Eileen Manza, program director for the center. "We're very flexible if we have enough time."

She added that if a group wanted something not available from the center, it could be arranged with enough planning.

In addition to enlarging and expanding the 44 rooms, wireless Internet access is available throughout the building. Among the available rooms are three suites with their own parlors, for leaders and presenters who want some additional private space.

Each floor has a kitchenette with a refrigerator for groups to store their own snacks, plus a microwave oven and a coffeemaker.

On the other side of the building from these rooms is a wing with 22 dorm-style rooms for larger youth groups.

The center's dining room can accommodate up to 400 people, and the center has its own caterer for events. Otherwise it operates on a skeleton crew that includes Manza and full- and part-time housecleaners.

The center offers a large conference room that will seat up to 350 people. A swimming pool and gymnasium are also available. Four smaller meeting rooms, named for the evangelists, are available for groups 15 and smaller, and as large as 80 people.

Persons who wish to contact the center may call 913-721-1097.