WINONA LAKE - Grace College and Seminary is in the final stage of devising a three-part plan to raise $2.1 million to renovate the Danek building and make a new student recreation center.

According to John Boal, chief advancement officer, 70 percent of Grace students participate in intramural sports activities.

Lancer Gymnasium opens for practices at 5:30 a.m. and shuts its doors after 11 p.m.

"In the fall we have college women's volleyball and the men's and women's basketball teams practicing along with all the intramural sports," Boal said. "In the spring, it's baseball and track practice, too. So the need for us is huge."

In December 1999, Grace purchased the 81,000-square-foot Danek building adjacent to campus through a $750,000 gift from Robert and Frances Gordon.

The Gordons live in Grace Village and Boal described them as "just friends of Grace."

The rec center will be named after the couple.

The total cost of renovating the warehouse-office structure amounts to $2.9 million. Grace's funding plan should be finalized by February and the facility could open as early as August 2003 if the necessary funds are raised.

Currently, plans call for the center to be a 30,000-square-foot athletic venue, containing one collegiate basketball court, two practice courts and a 160-meter jogging track with a separate 50-meter straightaway.

The building will house a 25,000-square-foot fitness center with a complete weight training and fitness room, an aerobics room, a classroom and full locker room and laundry facilities. An additional 25,000- square-foot area will be left vacant for further expansion.

The college has worked out a plan with the Kosciusko County YMCA in which Grace students have access to the Smith Street facility through activity fees. But it's a mile and a half from campus.

"Our windows (for Grace students at the Y) are 1 to 4 p.m. and 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.," Boal said. "But it's quite a walk."

Da-Lite Screen Co. presented the college with a $100,000 gift Dec. 20 as a thank-you for allowing the company to use the facility to maintain its business.

One of Da-Lite's main buildings suffered enormous damage from a tornado Oct. 24.

The company's donation will go toward the rec center.

Currently Grace is writing a proposal for a $710,000 grant from one of the most respected foundations in the country. The Michigan-based foundation asked Grace to proceed with the grant process. The organization will make its decision June 1.

Th second step will be to incorporate a matching gift campaign. In November, two Grace trustees agreed to match all individual gifts up to $120,000 toward the center. The goal is to raise more than $300,000 from alumni and friends of Grace.

Step three of the plan involves a community partnership among individuals and corporations around Kosciusko County and northern Indiana, similar to the partnership during the Westminster Hall renovation.

"We offer a required healthy lifestyles course that teaches nutrition, healthy habits and how to stay fit over the course of your life," Boal said. "Staying healthy is part of the overall Grace philosophy." [[In-content Ad]]