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PROGRESS & UPDATES
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News Archive: September 2005We are grateful and pleased to report that as of September 9th, $11.635 million has been given or pledged to the Writing the Next Chapter capital campaign! This represents 80% of our campaign goal of $14.5 million – a wonderful place to be as we begin our most public phase of fundraising. Construction CostsConstruction costs on both coasts of North America are increasing at unprecedented rates. As you know, the lower mainland of British Columbia is experiencing a particularly great demand for construction as the region prepares to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. With increased demand comes increased costs. As a direct result of rising costs of labour, steel and concrete, our own projected construction costs have increased by $1.5 million. The only alternative to accepting the rising costs – temporarily postponing construction – is not viable, as this trend will likely continue through 2010. So the sooner we complete the project, the more economical it will be. Regent’s Board of Governors considered this situation at great length, reviewing the scope of the project and projected costs to find the most reasonable solution. In the end, some adjustments that will reduce costs were made to our plans and a new campaign goal was approved. Our new campaign goal is now $14.5 million Final Phase of the Campaign LaunchedSeptember 15th marked the date we launched the final and most public phase of our Capital Campaign. On this day we mailed a package to almost 10,000 friends of Regent College, personally inviting each one to join us in supporting the Next Chapter capital campaign. Please pray with us that each one of these packages will be received with openness and that these friends will respond as they are able. Though evidence of construction at the College is not yet visible, the Building Committee, architect and project engineers have been working diligently over the past months. Our Development Permit has been approved and we expect that the Building Permit will be approved within the next three weeks. This means that construction of our new library could begin as soon as mid- to late-October. Our Project Engineers are planning to have the excavation work completed prior to the winter rainy season, which will keep the mud to a minimum! The engineering and construction drawings are complete and our architects are now focusing on finishing details such as lighting, colours, shelving and landscape. The construction of the new Library will make use of state-of-the-art construction techniques to ensure a solid, bright, environmentally sensitive, and moisture-free environment. One of the environmental features is a 30-foot wind tower in the park above the library. The power of wind will circulate fresh air throughout the library. It’s going to be an interesting facility and we’ll give you plenty of advance notice so you can plan on attending the opening celebrations! Implementation of new Information Technology is progressing well – with some expected strains along the way. (I may be understating this from some people’s perspective!) One of our board members said that “changing a company’s information technology system is as difficult as changing a person’s skeleton.” It has definitely felt that way at times, but it appears we are enduring and making good progress. It’s great to see the new Library system up and running – thanks to a very early campaign gift from Bridgeway Foundation and some hard work by Wan and our Library staff. Campaign Web Site LaunchedIn conjunction with our public phase of the campaign, our campaign web site was also launched on September 15th. Here you can find details about the campaign, our latest architectural drawings, and on-line gift and pledge opportunities. We will be updating the site regularly with photos and progress reports. At the web site you will also find a live web-cam pointed at the park so that visitors can monitor progress as the Library is constructed. Right now, it’s showing a sunny day in the park – the calm before the storm! Stay tuned… The Next Three MonthsOver the next three months, the campaign will focus on these communication strategies:
These next few months could be the busiest yet for the campaign staff. Please pray that God would use us to bless those who are supporting the vision of Regent College. We have much for which to be thankful. There is great evidence of God going before us as we have presented the campaign and the College over the last few months. But the last 20% of any campaign is always the hardest. Please continue to pray for Regent students, staff, faculty, and the campaign. We can’t complete this campaign and these important projects without God’s grace, intervention and provisions. And so we sincerely ask for your prayers. With warm regards,
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