Every time I visit the campus of Glade Valley High School I think, and often say, "This is so sad they ought to do something! It's a real shame!" And, from comments I have heard, most of you feel the same.
Well, now there is something they can do. But the "they" is US. Many have been praying something would happen, and now it seems God has opened a door.
Last Friday Patty and I met at the home of former GVHS teachers, Edward C. and Frances Johnson, with some folks that were offering to sell us (the students, alumni, former staff and all who were a part of and/or care about Glade Valley School) approximately 15 acres of the campus, together with most (8) of the campus buildings, at a very reasonable price. The offer was first made to a local church which met last night and formally declined. This is now an opportunity for us to save the campus from further ruin, and, God willing, even restore some or all of it to a usable state. Wouldn't it be great to have a facility on campus that could accommodate our growing annual reunion? Not to mention the possibility of rebuilding a facility of some sort to the Glory of God.
The eight buildings are Eldridge Hall, The Reynolds Building, Hodson Hall, the auditorium, the gym, the two newer dorms, and the little house many will remember as the one the Pruitt family lived in (this is the only income producing property as it is presently being rented).
We need to know how many of you agree. Not just agree in thought and emotion, but agree in commitment; agree to financially commit. We can buy the property for $50,000.00 plus expenses, but we must act quickly, otherwise the present owners say the property is going to be listed with a Realtor. If this happens I'm told the price will skyrocket. Alternatively, we can buy just the auditorium for $25,000.00 or the auditorium and gym for $30,000.00. In either case, an additional estimated amount of from $5 to $15,000.00 (again, depending on what we buy) would be needed for immediate EPA type cleanup. A local investor plans to buy whatever we don't, demolish all the buildings, and develop the property for resale.
In fairness, we must point out that the purchase of either of the properties is only the beginning. We are told by a local builder that the main structures (walls, etc.) are still sound but the roofing, floors, windows, electrical, HVAC, and water/sewer systems will need extensive repair or outright replacement. It will take lots more money to do the things needed to restore the properties. How much depends, of course, on what properties we buy and how extensive any renovations will be. There are so many different ways we can go with this. All of which can be decided in future planning sessions once the property is obtained.
If we are to take advantage of this offer, raising the funds must begin right away. The window for making the initial purchase is quite small. So, as a kickoff we are sending out this e-mail to everyone for whom we have an e-mail address. We will also cover this in the next Echoes newsletter. Doing the arithmetic, you can see that there must be lots of BIG donations as well as smaller ones if we, the students and former faculty of GVHS, are to accomplish this worthwhile endeavor.
Patty and I are willing to do the initial leg work, and then at the next reunion further organization can be put in place.
Please pray about it and if you agree with us that this is an opportunity we just cannot let slip away, please send us the largest contribution you can. We will keep an accounting of all gifts and if for some reason the project falls through and the purchase cannot be made, we will return to you your gift minus only the expenses incurred.
Expenses that immediately come to mind are for legal guidance and document preparation, title search to assure a clear deed, possible surveying of property lines, insurance, fund raising costs, and other miscellaneous out of pocket costs.
Obviously, Patty and I have done all we can for now, so it's up to you. Do YOU want to do it? Let us know. We need to hear from you today.
Our best to you,
Bill and Patsy Wingler
410 York Lane
Glade Valley, NC 28627
