Chase County Old School Development District

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

The Old School board's next goal is to start an after-school program, but we have a major obstacle. A key to the program is to have a gymnasium for accommodating large groups, conducting physical activities, and use of the stage. With refinished floors, our gym is in excellent condition. However it never had airconditioning and was heated with an antiquated steam heat system. Multiple professional estimates for the necessary electrical upgrades to support HVAC and the heat/air systems top $200,000. As a board and with LOTS of volunteer help we have been able to pay off our mortgage $55,000; replace a roof $55,000; renovate a kitchen $10,000; refinish gym floor $2000; upgrade plumbing and renovate two bathrooms $10,000; add HVAC to a significant portion of the building $35,000; and renovate two offices and 2 meeting rooms $5,000. However the $200,000+ is beyond our financial capabilities. Holding multiple community events, smaller grants, and rentals of building spaces have been able to cover the previously mentioned renovations plus insurance, utilities, grounds maintenance and day-to-day expenses. We need Match Day funds to provide the initial funds to move forward on this key project.

Mission

The Chase County 'Old School' Development District is saving history and creating opportunities through a mission to save the built history of the old school and maintain neighborhood integrity by cultivating community engagement, developing opportunities, and ensuring fiscal sustainability.

Profile

IN JUST THREE YEARS THE CCOSDD BOARD & VOLUNTEERS HAVE MET TWO OF THEIR THREE MAIN GOALS AND THE 3^RDIS PROGRESSING WELL.

1^ST - ACHIEVED STATE & NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTRY DESIGNATION FOR ENTIRE PROPERTY
2^ND - RESEARCHED AND FOUND A DEVELOPER FOR THE 1903 BUILDING, developed and signed a contract for sale protecting both the 1903 building and the Community Building. Worked with the developer to obtain grants to convert classrooms to much needed apartments for the community.
3^RD – DEVELOPED THE GYM BUILDING INTO A MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY CENTER. With that goal in mind:
Our 8 volunteer board members clocked over 2500 volunteer hours and gave over $3300 in monetary donations in just the past 2 years.
We set up a 501(C)3 organization with a board, bylaws, etc, established a bank account, an Emporia Community Foundation account, a PayPal account, and developed a website, a Facebook page, and an email account
We obtained insurance to protect the property
We got utilities to the building, including security lighting
As fundraisers, we held approximately 40 major events – auctions & craft fairs, car shows, runs, haunted houses, Silent Disco, food sales, paranormal investigation, holiday events, open gym nights, quilt show, youth and adult art events, open houses
We held approximately 85 official board meetings and an additional 40 official work days – cleaning, painting, building, preparing
We cleaned up and have maintained the 7+ acre property
We added HVAC to a major portion of the community building
We added a new roof to all of the flat portion of the community building
We renovated a kitchen, two bathrooms, two large classrooms, an office and a conference room. We partially renovated 2 remaining bathrooms.
We rented 2 spaces indefinitely and other spaces for daily use multiple times
Allowed Chase County Commodities food program free use of building
Sponsored a multi-year Pickleball program, Community Pitch Nights & Book Club
We have written 13 grants and been awarded 8.