Water Works! Capital Project

Introduction

I mentioned in my letter to you the dire condition of our 60-70 year old underground water delivery system. The impending emergency raises the question: "What can we do about it?" Well your forward thinking Camp Executive Director, assisted by several former and current Board members have already begun to act. John Schaibly and Dick Cole, two former Board presidents, initiated and conducted a capital campaign called "Raise the Roof" to raise funds to replace the water system and to make a number of capital improvements. It was named "Raise the Roof" because a key component was to be improvements to the Director's cabin. It turns out that those improvements can't be made until we enhance our fire suppression capability (according to current code), and that means upgrading our water supply.

Much of the over $150,000 raised during "Raise the Roof" is still sitting in the bank, earning interest. Once additional money has been raised, this cash will be used to complete the project and to accomplish the other goals of "Raise the Roof". These include improvements to the Director's cabin and other staff housing, as well as resurfacing the roads after the water project. But none of this can take place until we have completed the water system itself, and that will take considerably more money.

Water System Replacement

The water system replacement will consist of six phases. The first and second phases have already been completed. These consisted of an engineering design, performed by Massaro and Welsh, a civil engineering firm located in San Bernardino, as well as valve upgrades at the water tank, performed by Gates Fiberglass Installers, Inc. of Fullerton. Completion of these tasks leaves us ready to begin laying new pipe, as soon as we receive approval from the U.S. Forest Service and the winter weather is behind us.

The replacement pipe will be made of a flexible material that resists breaking, even in earthquake conditions, that does not react with soil or water and will not deteriorate over time. With any luck, it should last 100 years or more.

Installation of the new pipe will be done in three phases (phases three through five of the overall project). Phase three will entail replacing the pipe between the water tank and Cabin 6, where the downflow from our water tank meets our water main bringing water east and west to all our buildings. Phase four will replace the water mains and entrance feeds for all of the buildings at the east end of the camp, to include Homet lodge, Craig's Cabin, the swimming pool and hot tub, the nurse's station and all staff housing. Phase five will get the west end of the camp, including all remaining cabins and the maintenance area. Although many road repairs will need to be made as we go along, phase six will include final road resurfacing and project cleanup.

We believe that all of these phases can be accomplished without interruption of normal camp activities, as we will make temporary connections to buildings as we go, bypassing the areas being escavated.

How Will We Pay For the Project?

It will take a focused fund raising effort to fully fund this project. We will be conducting the Water Works! fund drive over a three year period, so whatever level of giving you choose, you can spread your payments over the three years of the capital fund drive. We will appreciate any gifts throughout the capital campaign, but early gifts and pledges will be especially welcome as these will help in the planning process and enable us to make firm commitments to each of the project phases.

As with any capital fund drive, it is typical that a few very large contributions provide a major portion of the overall goal, and we anticipate that Water Works! will be no exception to this rule. Accordingly, we have prepared a giving schedule that reflects the distribution of possible gifts that will equal the $450,000 we need (see below).

The largest gift of 500' of pipe may seem like a lot to ask, but similar gifts (in current dollars) have blessed de Benneville in the past. Rest assured that if some generous person is able to provide a gift of that magnitude, their name will be on the lips of many generations of campers as the person who stepped forward in de Benneville's hour of need and gave the most to ensure that the Camp would still be there for UU youths and others of all ages to enjoy and cherish. Indeed, all persons who contribute to this campaign will be recognized by a permanent plaque located prominently at the Camp for all to see.

Please select the level of generosity you are able to afford from the above schedule and make a pledge so that you and future generations of campers can continue to enjoy the serenity and beauty of Camp de Benneville Pines. You can make your pledge on line, or download a pledge form by clicking on the appropriate icon below:

Make an Online Pledge or Contribution*		Download a Printable Pledge Form
*Don't be concerned that the first screen says "Sign Up for an Event". We are using our new online registration system to capture data for pledges too.