See Video about the Swing Pavilion Project

The Swing Pavilion Project:

In October 2005, ground was broken on the William and Mary Swing Hospitality Pavilion Project.  It is a visually beautiful 4,000 square foot meeting hall with stage, dance floor area, and space for many other uses. This crucial step in the Ranch’s development enables us to serve parish groups and others more effectively. $2.3 of the $4 million project was raised in capital campaign Phase I, leaving $1.7 million to raise in Phase II.  Of this amount, over $1.4 million has already been raised.  As a result of a generous $250,000 matching grant, gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more made now will be matched at 50%. The plan is to begin using the building space on a limited basis in the first half of 2008 as detailed finishing work continues.  Come celebrate the completion in a formal dedication ceremony July 5, 2008 (see upcoming events information).

Needs Served by the Swing Pavilion Project:

• Provides a place for performing arts, dancing, talent shows and educational events that is badly needed at the Ranch but does not currently exist for large groups.
• Establish a larger gathering place---the current largest gathering place only holds 65 people. The Swing Pavilion will seat 125 people at tables.
• Provides a sheltered, outdoor space that links the Refectory and Pavilion.
• Diverts traffic out of the center of the campus and away from the Chapel, creating a safe and beautiful village center.
• Adding parking space. Parking space is currently a major problem, particularly on weekends.

Completion of the Pavilion will allow the Ranch to better serve existing groups as well as accept midweek conference bookings, thus increasing revenue and minimizing the impact on fees charged to guests.  In short, the Pavilion is the missing link in the Ranch’s long-term plan, and is pivotal to the Ranch’s success as a place for renewal and growth. By meeting our Phase II goal of $1.7 million, we will complete the Swing Pavilion Project which includes the “green” building, plaza, parking and driveway.

Swing Pavilion Project A “Green” Building

In June 2005, the Ranch Board of Directors passed a resolution calling for the pavilion project to be “green” – incorporating energy efficiency, passive solar techniques, and renewable building materials such as straw bales and photo-voltaic solar panels to generate electricity.  The goals are to construct a building that is easy on the environment, inexpensive to operate, and comfortable for the participants.  The exterior is in harmony with Ranch esthetics.

“Green” Building Project Features:

• Thick, super insulated walls of plastered straw bales
• Solar panels to generate electricity
• Super insulated roof using recycled cellulose
• Concrete foundation has fly ash (a coal plant waste product) added which reduces the amount of cement needed, saving energy.
• Low energy underfloor ventilation system.  An efficient ventilation system will take advantage of the local Mediterranean climate of warm, dry summers to provide cooling with less energy expenditure.
• Natural lighting.  A goal of the building design was to maximize the periods where natural light prevailed inside the room.  The creativity which enhances the planning activities, performing arts, worship and learning fostered at the Ranch are best served in an atmosphere of natural light.  The firm Loisos and Ubelohde constructed a computer model of the building from the plans drawn by our architects Jerry Wagner and Bob Theis.  The model calculated the amount of candlepower present for any point within the new building, at any time of day, on any day of the year, with any amount of cloud cover.  The windows in the building’s clerestory and other doors and windows were sited and sized using this information.  The artificial lighting will come on automatically as light levels drop, and turn off automatically as light levels increase.  This will save much electricity over time, as unneeded lights left burning is a common issue in public buildings like those at the Ranch.
• Parking area will include new trees and the restoration of a natural swale.
• Both the parking area and the driveway will utilize recycled materials for    construction.
• Parking lot will utilize “Grass Pave” which greatly reduces the amount of asphalt used, and also reduces and filters run-off.  Grass Pave porous paving performs the functions of asphalt or concrete pavement, but with the aesthetics of a grassy area – all while enhancing the environment.  A plastic, sub-surface mesh is installed on a gravel base, providing incredible load bearing strength.  High void spaces within the entire cross-section enable excellent root development.  Stormwater is slowed in movement through and across Grass Pave surfaces, which deposits suspended sediment and increases time to discharge. Suspended pollutants and moderate amounts of engine oils are consumed by active soil bacteria, which are aided by the system’s excellent oxygen exchange capacity.

“Green” planning went into every aspect of the new building.  Our plan is to have a building that inspires and delights, in the belief that the well-being that results from working and playing there will inspire creativity and renewal for the groups and individuals that use the Ranch.

How You Can Help

Each Friend of the Ranch is encouraged to prayerfully consider a generous gift that will make it possible for The Bishop’s Ranch to reach our potential to serve  members of the diocese and the community.

Sample gift distribution essential for the $ 1,700,000 Phase II Campaign:

*Monthly payments are for a 3-year pledge.

Swing Pavilion Project Naming opportunities:

Thank you for your support.  The Bishop’s Ranch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Tax ID #68-0098783.  All contributors to the Swing Pavilion Project will be listed in a special Book of Remembrance.

Make an online donation to the Swing Pavilion Project.

(Note: When you click on the button above you will be transferred to the PayPal website to make a secure donation online.  After that, you will have an opportunity to return to the Ranch website.)

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