Expansion Project Overview
In 2006 the Board of Directors worked on a strategic plan for the Education Center. Our capacity to generate our annual budget, currently about $90,000, has been stable and growing slowly over the last ten years. Our 17-year record of “doing a lot with a little” speaks for itself. During the planning process, we realized the importance of expanding our facilities to allow for program growth. At present, programs are held in one 20’ x 40’ classroom and the only restroom is an outdoor chemical toilet (Porta-Potty). No hot running water is available. Cold running water is available seasonally by outdoor sinks and hoses. The Facilities Expansion Project will provide multiple restrooms, including a handicapped accessible restroom, a handicapped accessible kitchen facility, and an additional handicapped accessible classroom / function space.
The Facilities Expansion Project will demolish and rebuild existing sections of the former dairy barn. A 20’x 80’ one-story classroom / function area will be rebuilt on the existing West Barn Foundation and a 24’ x 30’ bathroom / kitchen area will be created in the space now containing the carport. The new space will be ADA compliant, heavily insulated, have three composting toilets, and eventually, solar hot water radiant heat. The building will be a demonstration and teaching tool for these green technologies.
The Project will not only expand our program capacity and revenue sources, it will add safety, hygiene and comfort benefits to all visitors. Providing accessible restrooms, a kitchen and additional classroom space will enable us to expand our children’s education programs, adult workshops, and folk concerts to a larger, more diverse audience. It will also allow us to open our space other community groups and individuals for public or private gatherings.
This facilities expansion is a multi-year project. We have building plans in hand and preparatory work has begun. The S H E C’s Facilities Expansion Project’s detailed construction estimate is $282,000. We are currently working on fund raising through grant writing, functions, and a Capital Campaign. We have approximately $25,000 in hand from budgeted savings, $10,000 from our Board of Directors, and firm commitments from the business community totaling another $55,000. The Expansion Project was recently awarded a $107,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Facilities Fund. This means we now have commitments for about two thirds of the total project cost.
Construction will proceed in phases. We plan to break ground in spring of 2009 and have a completed exterior shell for the bathroom / kitchen section by fall. The next step will be to complete the interior of this section. Finally we will rebuild the classroom / function section. Fund-raising will continue during construction. The ultimate goal of the Soule Homestead Facilities Expansion Project is to create a handicapped accessible facility capable of offering many more programs, and greater community involvement. Please stop by and check out the progress. If you can donate in any way please contact us. Thank you for your help.
