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Cassie Lomison, freshman, stains the gazebo at the Appalachian Christian Camp with other volunteers in Habitat for Humanity. This marks Milligan’s first Habitat chapter. |
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2002 Milligan graduate David Mayer builds a roof as part of last Saturday's Habitat for Humanity project at Appalachian Christian Camp. This was the group's second work day. |
-Photos by Jason Harville |
Milligan Campus Center, originally planned to start construction this summer, will be delayed due to a lack of funds.
The center is designed to be built in three separate phases and will occupy the current location of the tennis courts. Phase one will include the new theater, darkroom, storage space for the theater department, offices and a prayer chapel. Phases two and three will be added later as wings to the central phase one.
This summer was to be the start of the first phase, but funding for the project has dropped off.
“Timing has certainly impacted people’s ability to give,” said President Don Jeanes. “We have recently hoped that we could possibly start next summer. I don’t think that will happen.”
According to Jeanes, current estimates for the first phase range from $7 to $9 million. However, as Jeanes pointed out, renovations for Derthick went over estimations by $400,000 to $500,000.
Currently the school has $4.5 million allotted for phase one of the campus center. Before starting the project, Jeanes said the administration would like to have $7 to $7.5 million in reserve. Without serious borrowing, starting construction this summer is not an option.
“With the market like it is, it will be a couple of years,” said Jeanes. “Once we start, it will probably take about 18 months.”
With current trends in the stock market, alumni gifts and other donations are scarcer than original estimates.
“The NASDAQ has already dropped more in value than the New York Stock Exchange dropped leading up to the Great Depression,” Jeanes said. “So, it’s tough times.”
Milligan currently has a debt of $2.4 to $2.5 million. The college has been paying on this loan for the last 12 years.
“We’re on a track to have that paid off in nine years,” Jeanes said.
According to Jeanes, the debt grows less each year. He would like to stay away from borrowing too much for the Campus Center, keeping debt under $4 to $5 million.
Parking for the first phase of the center will be limited to the current parking lot adjacent to the tennis courts. The administration is considering turning Pardee lawn into additional parking for the Campus Center at a later date.
The new theater will replace the performance space that was removed in the renovation of Derthick Hall, with a much larger seating of approximately 325. Richard Major, chair, area of performing, visual and communicative arts, discussed the changeover with Jeanes. The president said Major accepted “wandering in the wilderness” during the transfer of facilities.
During this transition, Major has used creative means including SUB 7, East Tennessee State University theater space and the Milligan College cafeteria for plays and other theatrical productions.
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