Manitoba meets again

Winnipeg

About 150 people attended an April 10 meeting held in Westwood Community Church to discuss future expansion of Concord College under Mennonite College Federation. Led by new moderator Neil Janzen, the meeting consisted of a time of worship, followed by a presentation by Concord College Board Chair Al Doerksen. He introduced a six-part recommendation. This was a somewhat revised recommendation from the one presented in February at the annual Manitoba MB Conference convention. The gist of the recommendation was a proposal to approve in principle a $25 million capital campaign by the Mennonite College Federation for the development of the new college site.

In October 1997, Manitoba MB Conference assumed ownership of Concord College, with sponsorship from Ontario and Alberta conferences. Concord has since become part of the agenda of the annual Manitoba provincial convention rather than having its own event. However, when, at the February convention, Concord brought forward a proposal for site development costing $25 million, it was decided to hold another "mini-convention" April 10 to process just this one item (see MBH, News, Apr. 2).

Mennonite College Federation is a federation of Concord College, Canadian Mennonite Bible College and Menno Simons College. The main location of the federated colleges will be the current CMBC site at Grant and Shaftesbury in Winnipeg, and the Manitoba School for the Deaf, across the street from CMBC. The MSFD site will be purchased and renovated extensively. New buildings to house students, accommodate a dining hall, library, chapel and gym will be built. Total cost of the project is estimated at about $25 million.

A separate corporation, Mennonite Properties Inc, has been set up to purchase the MSFD site. The Conference of Mennonites in Canada and the MB Church of Manitoba are the shareholders. However, since CMBC is bringing its site into the Federation, a disparity in ownership equity exists. In order to address this disparity, point three of the proposal recommends that "The Manitoba MB Conference's financial contribution be limited to the money realized from the sale, or reassignment of use, of the property currently held by the Conference for Concord College".

MCF is suggesting that the purchase, renovation and construction of new buildings be done in three stages. Stage one would be the purchase of the MSFD site for $3.5 million. Stage two would include renovating the MSFD site, building new residences and refurbishing existing buildings, at a cost of $4.5 million. These two stages would need to be completed by September 2000, at which time the Federation would operate out of that site. Stage three would include building a dining hall, kitchen, chapel, gym and learning centre, landscaping, and erecting a bridge across Grant Ave. to connect the two campuses, for a cost $13.5 million. Another $3.5 million would be raised as a contingency fund. Eventual construction of a performing arts centre is also envisioned.

Money to fund the project is expected to come from three main sources: large gifts from family corporations, heritage grants from the provincial government, and gifts from Mennonite and non-Mennonite donors from both Canada and the US. Harry Olfert, president of Concord, assured the delegation that there was a lot of interest outside the Mennonite community for this venture; and that the Conference of Mennonites in Canada had already approved stages one and two. According to Manitoba MB Conference Board of Directors chair Walter Thiessen, there are checks and balances in place so that the Conference will not be impacted financially with this proposal.

A question from the floor regarding a quorum was answered that the constitution does not address the issue, and therefore the discussion could proceed. Other delegates questioned whether the money promised by the government for the purchase and renovation of the property would infringe on government grants for programming. The reply was that there would be no change in that funding. Another questioned whether committing the Conference to such a large project would perhaps prevent other agencies asking for help with their own expansion plans down the road. Thiessen replied that if other projects come up, then the total picture will be looked at, and if it is feasible, then a go-ahead would be given that agency. Thiessen also assured the delegation that spending would be on a cash, not credit basis.

Other questions regarding programming, biblical/Christian content of courses and vision were also satisfactorily answered. A number of persons gave unsolicited endorsements of the direction Concord and the Federation were taking, and when the vote was cast, 80% voted in favour of the recommendation. sb

1. That the Conference approve in principle a $25 million capital campaign to be undertaken by the Mennonite College Federation for the development of the Grant-Shaftesbury campus.

2. That the convention approve a process whereby the details of specific building plans, modifications to the site plan, and funding strategies can be processed between conventions by a joint meeting (chaired by the Moderator or designate) of the Concord Board of Directors (Manitoba MB members as voting), the Committee of Reference and Counsel, and the Conference Board of Directors.

3. That the Manitoba Conference's financial contribution be limited to the money realized from the sale, or reassignment of use, of the property currently held by the Conference for Concord College.

4. That any money advanced by the Conference for this capital project (Point 1) will be a loan to be repaid.

5. That Concord/Federation not fund capital projects from funds generated through the conference "norm" budget.

6. That the joint meeting established in point 2 develop a formula re percentage of funds to be committed in cash and or/pledges prior to beginning a specific project.

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