With the new Bright Future Campaign, our school is on the cusp of transformation. We spoke to Sarah Lind, who runs fundraising at Bethany, to learn more about this ambitious 3-phase project. This article will provide you with comprehensive information about the specifics of a campaign that many of us have expressed uncertainty about.
Phase 1 (A Bright Start) – Focuses on building an elementary wing for grades K-3. This phase is the only project in which funds are currently being raised, with a goal of $7.5 million. The campaign will run from 2022 through 2025, the new wing is projected to be finished in the fall of 2024; kindergarten opening at that time.
Fundraising for Phase 2, “A Bright Space,” will likely start in 2026. Architectural drawings for this project are already completed; the designs include a new technology and visual arts center to the north of the current orchestra room. Redesigning the exterior of the art barn was one of the very first steps in this phase. In the future, the art barn will become the location of the facilities department and related storage.
Phase 3, “A Bright Spirit,” will see the complete renovation of our school’s theater and chapel space, which many of us know hasn’t changed since its construction soon after our school’s inception. This project will likely begin fundraising no sooner than 2027. The redesign will provide much more storage for theater props and other items than before. At this point, the space is envisioned to be redesigned as a Blackbox Theater. As this phase takes place far into the future, nothing has been officially announced as to what exactly the space will look like.
The previous campaign, “Great Strides,” focused on building the Athletic complex and cost $2 million. The difference in cost highlights the scale of the planned expansions and the dedication of the administration to provide a better learning environment for future Bethany students.
The expansion of our school has raised both excitement and concern among the high school student body. While the prospect of new spaces and facilities is exciting for many, some students worry about how these changes will affect our daily lives. For example, the changes to the parking lot have taken away the privilege given to upperclassmen to park close to the school entrance, a privilege that has been possessed for as long as anyone can remember. Additionally, parking space has been reduced altogether due to the construction of the new elementary wing. Fish Fry parking space will also become a more pressing matter as construction for phase 2 begins.
Despite these concerns, Lind and her team remain optimistic about the benefits that the expansion will bring. The additional spaces and facilities will undoubtedly enhance the overall learning environment, providing students with access to new resources and opportunities. In particular, younger students and kindergarten students will benefit from the expansion, as they will have access to modern and child-friendly facilities that are tailored to their needs.
Moreover, the expansion will help to address slight overcrowding issues, an emerging dilemma with the addition of the lower school. By creating additional space, Bethany can accommodate a growing student population and offer more classes and programs. This can help alleviate the strain on existing resources, specifically music, and the arts, and ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.
Overall, while there may be some concerns about the impact of the expansion, the benefits of these new spaces and facilities are significant. Lind and her team are committed to ensuring that the expansion is carried out in a way that maximizes these benefits and minimizes any disruptions to the student body.
Regarding the role of high school students in this project, Lind has noted the support of the high school student body, especially of Christa Janzen, who is excited to move out of the cramped space of the art barn. Lind also noted her perception that High school students have also appreciated some of the ways that Bethany is changing to meet the needs of younger children. At a PTO fundraising event earlier this year, Lind was both delighted and surprised to see many high school students enjoy the bouncy house. Similarly, Lind hopes to observe a similar aura of support during the “color fun run,” on May 20th which aims to celebrate the construction that has started on the elementary wing as well as the launch of the Bright Future campaign.
The silent phase of the campaign, from February 2021 to February 2023, involved a feasibility study to determine if it was possible to undertake the campaign at all and whether all three phases could be included. The study found that adding an elementary expansion would provide our school with long-term stability, and discussions about turning our school into a K-12 institution began soon thereafter. The Bethany Board of Trustees concluded that the elementary alone was an ambitious fundraising goal and decided to postpone the other phases at this time.
When asked about concerns regarding the current tide of inflation and stock market scares, Lind stated that “generosity persists,” and “in fundraising, we have to move forward in faith.” There has been a significant amount of alumni interest in the campaign, and our Bethany’s donor community has helped our school build a strong endowment over the years, which lends our school stability when undertaking strategic projects.
More information about the Bright Future campaign is sure to emerge as Phase 1 continues and the Sightline staff hopes that this article has provided you with answer to many of the questions which have been raised about the project.