Q1. How much money has been raised and how much is needed for construction of both the Middle School and Performing Arts Center? A.As of July 2011, we have raised $19.5 million in total cash and pledges for the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign. With fiscal responsibility in mind, the Board of Trustees has determined that actual construction on both buildings may begin once significant progress is made toward our fundraising goal. With local real estate development activity relatively muted at present, construction costs are relatively low. As a result, we anticipate that the next phase of the campus master plan will cost $28 million, roughly 20-25 percent less than construction costs might have been two to three years ago. The total goal of the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign is $28 million.
Q2. What is the construction timeline? A.The construction of the new Middle School and Performing Arts Center will take approximately 18 months to complete. The plan is to build the Middle School and Performing Arts Center simultaneously, to minimize cost and schedule. After evaluating and negotiating with seven well-qualified general contractors, Del Amo Construction has been selected as our general contractor.
More money will be saved by building in the very near future as building costs have gone down in the last few years. If fundraising is such that we cannot fund simultaneous construction, we plan to move forward with the Performing Arts Center. Various logistics, including construction access to campus and the continued seamless operation of the school, require that the Performing Arts Center be built first or simultaneously with the Middle School.
Q3. When will construction begin at St. Margaret’s? A. Construction has begun! However, we still need to secure additional funding to support simultaneous construction.
Q4. How can I contribute to the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign? A. Every gift counts and matters. Your support brings us closer to our goal, and every gift is tax-deductible. Contributions may be made by check, credit card, gifts of publicly traded securities, gifts of real and personal property, a paid-up life insurance policy and any of the regularly recognized charitable gift planning vehicles such as a CRT, Trust or annuity. In addition, you may make a pledge to support the Capital Campaign which may be spread over a 5-year period.
Q5. How will school operate during construction? A. Our goal will be to operate the school with minimal impact to our students and parents. During construction, the school will periodically update the community on the project and any important logistical and procedural impacts. While there undoubtedly will be near-term frustrations associated with the construction, the end product will be superior facilities for our students and faculty. From the start of construction, we anticipate an 18 month construction timeframe. With this schedule, we anticipate a ribbon cutting to occur by the start of the 2012-13 school year.
Q6. How will the larger community (i.e. the City of San Juan Capistrano) benefit from the new buildings? A. St. Margaret’s has a long history of serving the local community and participating as a responsible and active neighbor in San Juan Capistrano. St. Margaret’s allows the use of its campus and facilities for many community organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, National Charity League, Habitat for Humanity, National Junior Basketball and various local homeowner’s associations. We plan to continue to make our facilities available when possible to our local community and once these facilities are complete, there will undoubtedly be new ways to do so.
FAQs
Q1. How much money has been raised and how much is needed for construction of both the Middle School and Performing Arts Center?
A.As of July 2011, we have raised $19.5 million in total cash and pledges for the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign. With fiscal responsibility in mind, the Board of Trustees has determined that actual construction on both buildings may begin once significant progress is made toward our fundraising goal. With local real estate development activity relatively muted at present, construction costs are relatively low. As a result, we anticipate that the next phase of the campus master plan will cost $28 million, roughly 20-25 percent less than construction costs might have been two to three years ago. The total goal of the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign is $28 million.
Q2. What is the construction timeline?
A.The construction of the new Middle School and Performing Arts Center will take approximately 18 months to complete. The plan is to build the Middle School and Performing Arts Center simultaneously, to minimize cost and schedule. After evaluating and negotiating with seven well-qualified general contractors, Del Amo Construction has been selected as our general contractor.
More money will be saved by building in the very near future as building costs have gone down in the last few years. If fundraising is such that we cannot fund simultaneous construction, we plan to move forward with the Performing Arts Center. Various logistics, including construction access to campus and the continued seamless operation of the school, require that the Performing Arts Center be built first or simultaneously with the Middle School.
Q3. When will construction begin at St. Margaret’s?
A. Construction has begun! However, we still need to secure additional funding to support simultaneous construction.
Q4. How can I contribute to the Building on the Promise Capital Campaign?
A. Every gift counts and matters. Your support brings us closer to our goal, and every gift is tax-deductible. Contributions may be made by check, credit card, gifts of publicly traded securities, gifts of real and personal property, a paid-up life insurance policy and any of the regularly recognized charitable gift planning vehicles such as a CRT, Trust or annuity. In addition, you may make a pledge to support the Capital Campaign which may be spread over a 5-year period.
Q5. How will school operate during construction?
A. Our goal will be to operate the school with minimal impact to our students and parents. During construction, the school will periodically update the community on the project and any important logistical and procedural impacts. While there undoubtedly will be near-term frustrations associated with the construction, the end product will be superior facilities for our students and faculty. From the start of construction, we anticipate an 18 month construction timeframe. With this schedule, we anticipate a ribbon cutting to occur by the start of the 2012-13 school year.
Q6. How will the larger community (i.e. the City of San Juan Capistrano) benefit from the new buildings?
A. St. Margaret’s has a long history of serving the local community and participating as a responsible and active neighbor in San Juan Capistrano. St. Margaret’s allows the use of its campus and facilities for many community organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, National Charity League, Habitat for Humanity, National Junior Basketball and various local homeowner’s associations. We plan to continue to make our facilities available when possible to our local community and once these facilities are complete, there will undoubtedly be new ways to do so.