John Douglas, Development Director
The Maria Noakes Outdoor Center
Construction of the Maria Noakes Outdoor Center is proceeding into the summer. The metal building was ordered from the manufacturer about a month ago. Some details added to the building include windows beneath the eaves, three glass panels in each of the garage doors, plumbing for a future bathroom (including a shower), and a large ventilation exhaust fan. In addition, we believe that we will have funding in place for enough solar panels to remove the building from the grid and possibly install a vehicle charging station nearby as well.
The contractor, Beverly-Grant, believes that the site work, including grading, foundations, and the slab will be completed by August. Once the metal building arrives, it will be a relatively short buildout of three to four weeks to have the building completed.
We have set a tentative dedication of the building on Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Friday, October 8, 2021.
The Spring Splash
As late as early May, we were not 100% sure that we would be able to hold our annual fund raiser and community event called the Spring Splash. When it looked like COVID vaccinations and positive cases were in our favor, we went to work: gaining sponsors, soliciting auction items, putting together the Costa Rica raffle trip, building two different websites, promoting the event, and cooking and cleaning. .
The event took place on Friday, June 11 and included some great picnic-style food, a selection of beverages from our friends at New Belgium and Troy and Sons Distillery, great music by James Johnson and the ___, an entertaining live auction by Andrew Brunk, a successful fund-a-need for solar panels, and the pulling of the Costa Rica Trip raffle ticket — won by FBRA parent Sharon Schulz.
The event netted over $45,000 for the school that will be used to support FBRA’s academic and outdoor programs, along with environmental initiatives. Thanks to the hundreds of people and organizations that supported the event by sponsoring, donating auction items, bidding on auction items, buying raffle tickets, and making outright gifts to the school. Aside from raising funds for the school, the party was an amazing opportunity to see and visit with old friends and make new ones.
