A Day 75 Update: What Can Phase II Do For You?

As construction continues on the new Michael G. DeGroote Senior School the changes to the College’s campus become more evident and the excitement grows!  This first phase of the Transformation HSC project is scheduled to be completed this coming September and with its completion the College will embark on a new era in teaching and learning.

Transformation HSC – Phase II:

Equally exciting is the prospect of beginning work on Phase II of the project this spring, pending the Board of Governors’ decision in the coming weeks. Phase II will add an additional 35,000 square feet of world-class training and instruction facilities in the form of a new Athletic Complex and Community Centre, the completion of which, is a vital step in realizing the College’s Master Campus Plan. Once completed the College’s campus will become centralized around the newly created ‘Green Commons’ enhancing safety and security through environmental design.

The proposed Phase II development has something to offer every one of our HSC students! The new complex will include three gyms (one specifically designated for Early Education use), a multi-purpose athletics studio, conditioning room, change rooms and related administrative spaces.  It will also see the completion of state-of-the-art performing arts facilities including a 100-seat multi-purpose performance space, allow for the creation of a permanent home for the College’s expanding and dynamic drama program, and provide for the centralization of the College’s Health Services.

The realization of additional arts spaces will provide new opportunities to deliver and expand the College’s arts program. In addition, renovations to the vacated art rooms near the current Artsplex Theatre will create a home for our drama program, while the new multi-purpose performance space will offer all students an opportunity to build their self-confidence through self-expression and various forms of presentation.

While the impact to the College’s athletics and arts programs is significant, academic programming will benefit too. Currently, the academic timetable is set around the availability of existing gym space. The additional Phase II facilities will allow for increased flexibility in the timetable and great opportunities to expand curriculum programming.

Additional gym space also provides more time for skill development, increased practice-to-game ratios, and it will allow the College to reduce its carbon footprint through the curtailing of transportation to outside facilities for team practices.

“Opportunity Knocks”:

As we have communicated previously, through the generosity of an anonymous donor, HSC has been able to secure an incredible financing opportunity, which could, subject to the Board of Governors’ approval, allow us to simultaneously commence construction on Phase II. This would not only allow students access to the completed gymnasia by Spring 2013, but it would also save the College several million dollars in construction costs, fees and related bank and financing charges.  The ability to access this financing opportunity, however, is dependent upon the pledged support of the broad HSC community.  We need your participation in the Transformation HSC Capital Campaign.

Get On Board The 100@100 Campaign:

The 100@100 Campaign, with which you are by now hopefully familiar, was created as a challenge to solicit the support of the entire HSC community. The campaign was specifically designed - with a target contribution of $100 per month over a 5-year period – to be accessible to all HSC families, with the hope of encouraging 100% of our families to show their support for this project.

We are very pleased to report that community support of the 100@100 Campaign has been strong.  On a percentage basis, HSC family support has risen from 7% to approximately 20%.  Even more impressive, staff and faculty support for the project has climbed to a remarkable 63%.  This participation is to be commended and we are grateful for it.

 “If every HSC family (100%) committed to pledging a minimum of $100 per month over the next five years, we could show the Board of Governors a community commitment of close to $5 million”, said Family Campaign Co-Chair, Nick Bontis.

“It would be a mistake to feel that only large donations are needed. Often overlooked is the fact that the most successful campaigns happen when the whole audience participates – every donation, no matter how large or small, is needed and welcome”, added 100@100 donor, Steven Ruse. 

Fast-forward to just over a year from now and HSC students could be the beneficiaries of, not only a new academic building, but an Athletics and Arts centre as well, which would allow for the entire HSC community to gather together to celebrate the many achievements and milestones of our students.

While support for the Transformation HSC campaign has almost tripled in the past 2½ months, thanks to the hard work, determination and generosity of many in the HSC community, we need now, more than ever before, to secure the support of all HSC families.  With your pledges, we can show the Board of Governors that Phase II should become a reality.  The time is now!  Please don’t wait, join the 100@100 Campaign and together we can make it happen!

Please contact the College at 905-389-1367 or visit www.hsc.on.ca and make your appointment today.

We are entering the 4th Quarter where games are won! Together we can!

Note:  All gifts are eligible for a tax receipt meaning that the after tax impact of a $100 per month gift is closer to $50 per month for most families.