| August 2006
Dear Friend of Quebec Lodge:
As we move through the summer, we thought it would be
appropriate to provide an update on the progress of our efforts
to preserve and re-imagine Quebec Lodge. Our committee has met
seven times since Archbishop Stavert gave us the time to work on
a new plan and we are now moving from the “batten down the
hatches“ stage to the exciting process of dreaming dreams and
creating a new vision for taking the camp to the next
level. Both Quentin Robinson and Brian Wharry have been
extremely helpful and supportive and we look forward to their
continued counsel as we move ahead. |
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| Our initial efforts were devoted to some short-term
fundraising so that we would have the resources to meet our part
of the agreement with the diocese. This was successful thanks to
several generous donors. As we move forward additional support
will be needed and welcomed. In addition, we did some major
clean up work in the Lakeside Cottage and provided some new
furnishings prior to making it available for the rental
season. It has been occupied at market rent for a good part of
the summer and we are pleased to be providing this income for
our project. |
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| In May, we held a clean up day at the camp and a number of
volunteers braved inclement weather to help us move items into
storage, clean up the grounds, and secure the buildings and
facilities. At this point we are comfortable that the camp
property will be safe for the coming months and that camp
equipment will be available for use when the camp re-opens in
the future. Please click here for
more pictures of
Cleanup Day May 20, 2006
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| Our committee has recruited some new members and we have
begun a two track process to re-imagine the camp and the
site. The first initiative involves preparing for the renewal of
camping as soon as possible. This committee will focus on
program and the facilities necessary to support the
program. Former staff and campers as well as outside groups that
have used camp facilities in the past will be consulted and many
will participate in our efforts. Our goal is to offer once again
an outstanding camp experience and to provide programs and
facilities that a variety of outside groups will find attractive
enough to contract with us to use. |
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| The second initiative will concentrate on discovering
whether there are supplementary uses of the camp property that
may be able to generate additional revenues to support the
camping program and the diocese. Under consideration will be
designing and building a conference center that would be
attractive for both adults and young people and be available for
use year round. We will need to study the market, investigate
funding options, and design a business plan that will
demonstrate that a camp and conference center model would be
successful. We recognize that we must be open to a variety of
ideas and land use options if we are to be successful. We have
consulted and will continue to consult with a variety of experts
in the field of development and land use to try to design a
program that preserves the camp while generating sufficient
resources for it to be self-sustaining. |
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| Thank you for what you have done to give us this
window of opportunity. As we move forward, we invite your
continuing support. If you have professional expertise that you
are willing to contribute, we would welcome your participation
and certainly financial support would be a blessing. In the
meantime, please keep Quebec Lodge, our efforts and the Diocese
of Quebec in your thoughts and prayers. |
 
The Re-Imagining Quebec Lodge Committee
Mark McLaughlin, John and Louise Moses
Ruth Sheeran, Jim and Di Ferrabee
Tom Matthews, Heather Thomson and Jim Sweeny
Don Wells, Steve Stafford
Brad Mitchell, Sam Elkas
Kit Skelton |
Quebec
Lodge 2006