Essential Space
How the Mother of Invention met the Father of Opportunities at CCS
I really don’t know how many times the term has been used, but “essential and necessary space” has become a well-worn phrase in the promotion of our new secondary gymnasium. It’s also been called “long-awaited”, “much-needed”, “highly- anticipated”, and any number of other nearly-synonymous hyphenated terms. Just recently the moniker “most-ambitious” was added, perhaps more out of need to force a double-take with readers than to reinforce the incredible importance this new space holds for Calgary Christian School.
It’s not lost on me that this gym story - a vision shared, a hope ignited, a dream deferred, and now a reality within reach - is not wholly remembered. For one, it’s taken some time to get here; many new families aren’t familiar with the journeys we’ve been on over the last decade. So, I am happy to have this opportunity to briefly highlight where the project originated and how it answers a “critical need” - not just at the school but for our community.
So, let’s back up just a little and get a running start to the story we find ourselves in…
In 2012, the CSCE had just completed a four-classroom addition and playground at its elementary school campus. Within two years, the elementary student enrolment rose to near capacity levels - which is where it has remained for most of the last 10 years. At about the same time, the secondary’s campus was already packed with 400+ students. Trying to sustain physical education classes and team sports programs with so many middle and high school students was proving difficult. The demands on the gym’s use - including revenue generating rentals and other community events and activities was also strained. New opportunities couldn’t be entertained without imposing on existing activity schedules. This led the Board to confirm the campus improvement priority of a secondary gym expansion - and with all possible haste.
The rationale to build a gym, even from the outset, has been rooted in the need to provide for existing student programs. As they say, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” (Actually, it was Plato who made this claim in different words). The upside to building an appropriately-sized and equipped gym was that it would also allow for some future student population growth - and that was also something worth considering if we want to make the most of the limited campus space we have.
Unfortunately, at this same time, CCS was faced with other challenges that impacted its ability to effectively launch a serious building project. First, the opening of a new high school facility in 2011 on nearby Springbank Hill boasted the best in educational amenities - including generous gym space and playing fields, high-end technology, and room for new recruits. This was a tantalizing option for some students who wanted a bigger, option-abundant and more “socially diverse” high school experience. Second, a series of leadership changes made it difficult to strengthen the school’s long-term focus and programs. Combined, these factors contributed to a 3-year decline in CCS secondary enrolment, and gravely threatened the existence of our high school program.
We can now look back across the last 6 - 7 years and see how God provided the resources necessary to rebuild this gap at CCS - in terms of new friends, families and staff, experienced and visionary leaders, teams of committed teachers, board members, and support staff who shaped a vision for CCS and created a plan to ensure our students receive the best Christian education possible.
Today we find ourselves with two campuses at capacity (between 460 - 470 students each) - even more students than when it was first determined that we didn’t have enough gym space. That’s why we are here - now - at the threshold of one more decision that will make this long-held dream (see there it is again) a reality. This is our opportunity to step out in faith and support this project that will enhance our collective abilities as a community of learners to participate in the Kingdom-building work that God the Father has called us to.
To the point, here are the many necessities, benefits, and strategic enhancements the new gym will provide:
ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY SPACE - Enough for our student body for their physical education courses, interscholastic sports, and other weekly activities
Enough space to manage current grade level classes of 80+ students in activities for PhysEd courses. (They cannot all fit or safely play in the current gym.)
INDOORS - currently, classes break into several smaller groups, some of which get sent outside even in winter. Now we will have more than twice as much interior space for use YEAR ROUND in all weather conditions.
An enlarged weight training and physical conditioning room will provide space for an entire class (24 - 30) to SAFELY work out. Right now, we can only accommodate 12 students at a time, forcing other classmates into hallways and other spaces.
Plus, the current weight room would be transitioned back into a classroom.
Greater opportunity for clubs, intramurals, and showcase events put on by students
Helps relieve congestion in our main building, moving all physical activities into the new gym facility.
Also provides two additional “FLEX CLASSROOMS” on its second floor that can be used for many types of learning. Can be one extra large classroom or separated into two average sized spaces.
INCREASED PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We anticipate that more time will be available for the elementary school to explore after school program options, since there will be less demand for the elementary gym on weekdays between 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM by secondary sports teams.
WORSHIP, PERFORMANCE, AND ASSEMBLIES
The North Gym will be equipped with enhanced audio-visual equipment to allow for “quick turn” set up/take down for faith formation activities, meetings, chapels, concerts, and other presentations
The entire space can hold 900 people, meaning a variety of events can be held there easily - from fairs and conventions, to trade shows, graduation ceremonies, and other community events.
The extra large LED screens in the facility can be used as digital scoreboards or giant flatscreens for presentations, movies, or broadcasting real-time activities occurring in the building.
The “gym” becomes the Heart of the Community once again, creating opportunities for our school community to come together on campus to worship, celebrate, play, and perform.
REVENUE REVENUE REVENUE
A key to keeping program fees low is by creating and sustaining alternate sources of revenue for the school. We do a lot of this, but nowhere do we earn more than through our ability to rent out a gym. We currently do this with established leagues, societies, sport clubs, other schools, and even churches for their program activities. .
Demand for gym space is HIGH in Calgary, and we expect our facility to have revenue-generating contracts through all 12 months of the year. Rental income from our gyms has been and will continue to be a major money maker for the CSCE, and a great way to offset costs related to the building’s care and operations.
No other building can help sustain itself financially the way a gym can because of this ability to rent it out. No other part of the school can do as much.
With so much flexibility, the number and variety of potential renter options increases.
We also have a concession stand in the main lobby of the facility that will continue to generate revenue through food, beverage, and other CCS merchandise sales.
PREPARATION FOR CLASSROOM ADDITIONS
The next phase of our secondary campus will see the “old gym” converted into two floors of middle school classrooms and other spaces. This is not part of the current budget or financing proposal.
The capacity of the renovated old gym will provide enough classrooms to add about 100 - 120 more students for a total of 600 middle and high school students. This would be the projected maximum, optimized student population for CCSS.
But more on this in tomorrow’s article…
There are certainly more stories embedded in this narrative - and I wish I had time to tell them all. But for now, we keep moving to ensure we hit the highlights for everyone before January 30.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back with a piece on the strategy behind the dual gym design and the future renovation of our current gym into classroom spaces.
Blessings.
