Hull, Iowa (KSOU) — After several years of planning, Western Christian High School has publicly introduced what they are calling the Cornerstone Campaign, a proposed long-term facilities initiative.
Administrator Brian Verwolf says the campaign is the result of roughly four years of visioning, data collection, and feedback from task forces representing the school’s supporting communities.
The campaign is built around four core pillars: worship that inspires, community that welcomes, growth that lasts, and mission that moves. Verwolf said the goal is to address aging facilities, improve hospitality and access, and ensure the campus can support continued enrollment growth.
Western Christian currently serves just over 300 students, exceeding earlier enrollment targets set in its strategic plan. Verwolf said projections indicate continued moderate growth in the coming years, making long-term planning necessary.
As part of the campaign, school leaders have shared videos and images showing proposed updates. Click here for a video from Western’s Facebook page. Verwolf said those materials include conceptual renderings meant to help visualize potential improvements, not final construction plans. He added that much of the groundwork for the project has already been completed, meaning the overall design largely reflects what would be built if the campaign is approved and funded.
Major components of the proposal include converting the current event center into a permanent worship and fine arts center, constructing a new auxiliary gym and activity entrance north of campus, updating locker rooms and mechanical systems that date back decades, and expanding athletic and hospitality spaces.
The project is currently in what Verwolf described as a “silent phase,” during which school leaders have been meeting with donors and community members to gauge support and financial feasibility.
As that process continues, Western Christian is hosting two public informational meetings to share details of the proposal and answer questions. The first meeting was held at noon today (January 19), followed by a second meeting on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 p.m. You can attend the Wednesday evening session at the school’s event center.
Verwolf stated that the Cornerstone Campaign proposes a $25 million fundraising goal, with 75 percent of the funds required to be raised before construction begins.
