The Place to be when school is out.
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Major Milestone: BASE to purchase new property for Future Home Project FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Fort Atkinson, WI, December 2024] – Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) is scheduled to purchase 1233 Janesville Avenue in Fort Atkinson WI on January 8th, 2025 after a four year quest to find a permanent home for the organization. The property offers several advantages, including over 60,000 square feet of space for BASE to expand operations, develop new community partnerships and offer leased space to the community.
The BASE Community Center will serve as a hub of growth, learning, and engagement for the community. The $12.5 million project will provide a diverse range of services and opportunities that will enrich the lives of residents for generations to come. When the project is complete, the center will have licensed child care classrooms, an art room, learning labs, STEM labs, a full commercial kitchen, cafeteria, administrative offices, a dedicated teen center with a cafe, a commons area and a full middle school sized gym.
BASE will use 40,000 square feet of the space for BASE activities which would include after school and summer programs for elementary and eventually teens. BASE would also partner with a local preschool to offer space for early education to kids ages 2-5.
The organization will complete the project in three phases. Each phase will include a construction budget and gradually build an operational endowment. The endowment goal is a minimum of $3,500,000 which will allow financial sustainability for the organization to operate for many years to come.
Phase I will include the purchase of the property, installation of an outdoor playground, remodeling of 20,000 square feet, furniture and fixtures, a full commercial kitchen and fire suppression, technology and security for 40,000 square feet. The total cost for Phase I is $7,000,000 which includes a $1,500,000 endowment fund.
Phase II will include a $3,000,000 investment into remodeling an additional 18,000 square feet to create a teen center and community space. This will also grow and build the endowment fund with an additional $1,500,000.
Phase III will include building a full regulation size gymnasium for both BASE and community use. The total cost of Phase III is $3,000,000 which includes growing the endowment fund an additional $500,000.
"We're not just building a physical structure, we're creating a space for connection, growth, and empowerment." Hannah Bare, board chair for BASE stated. "This is an investment in the future of our city. As we prepare to launch our fundraising campaign for our BASE Community Center, we look forward to working with a variety of supporters to make this possible in our community.”
The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation is leading the way with a $2,750,000 grant to kick start the project. To date, BASE has secured a total of nearly $6,250,000 million dollars in pledges & donations from local donors, business donors including private foundations, individuals and local businesses. The organization is looking to raise the remaining funds by February to have construction completed in the summer of 2025 for Phase I. “We are very excited to embark on this important project for our community. We know the kids will benefit greatly from having a space in our community to be during the critical hours school is out. We hope with the community’s support we will be able to start our 20th school year in the new facility in September 2025!” said Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director.
As the organization reignites their campaign campaign, BASE is reaching out to supporters, both old and new, to help bridge the remaining funds needed to fully fund the project. Donations of any size are welcomed and encouraged to support the BASE Community Center.
For more information about the BASE Community Center and how to contribute to the fundraising campaign, please visit www.basefortatkinson.org/futurehome.
About BASE
Badgerland After School Enrichment Program INC (BASE) is a non-profit organization located in Fort Atkinson, WI. BASE provides critical care to kids in our community during the crucial hours when school is out. BASE is committed to providing quality, out of school care that will inspire our local youth to be contributing, productive and responsible community members through intentional programming that supports positive character development and unique opportunities to grow as individuals.
BASE is excited to announce the anticipated purchase of 1233 Janesville Ave for our Future Home location. The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation (FACF) has issued a $2.75 million grant for Phase I of our Future Home to help BASE raise a total of $12.5 million to purchase and renovate the Johnson Hill Press building located at 1233 Janesville Ave into a permanent home for BASE.
A standalone facility would allow the organization to expand and serve our community in a whole new way including providing space for early childhood education, dedicated programming areas for youth, a teen center, a community gym, a commercial kitchen and an outdoor recreation area.
Questions or interested in getting involved?
Badgerland After School Enrichment Program | 734 Madison Ave Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Alicia Norris, Executive Director | email alicia@basefortatkinson.org
920-542-6501 | www.basefortatkinson.org
Major Milestone: BASE to purchase new property for Future Home Project FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Fort Atkinson, WI, December 2024] – Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) is scheduled to purchase 1233 Janesville Avenue in Fort Atkinson WI on January 8th, 2025 after a four year quest to find a permanent home for the organization. The property offers several advantages, including over 60,000 square feet of space for BASE to expand operations, develop new community partnerships and offer leased space to the community.
The BASE Community Center will serve as a hub of growth, learning, and engagement for the community. The $12.5 million project will provide a diverse range of services and opportunities that will enrich the lives of residents for generations to come. When the project is complete, the center will have licensed child care classrooms, an art room, learning labs, STEM labs, a full commercial kitchen, cafeteria, administrative offices, a dedicated teen center with a cafe, a commons area and a full middle school sized gym.
BASE will use 40,000 square feet of the space for BASE activities which would include after school and summer programs for elementary and eventually teens. BASE would also partner with a local preschool to offer space for early education to kids ages 2-5.
The organization will complete the project in three phases. Each phase will include a construction budget and gradually build an operational endowment. The endowment goal is a minimum of $3,500,000 which will allow financial sustainability for the organization to operate for many years to come.
Phase I will include the purchase of the property, installation of an outdoor playground, remodeling of 20,000 square feet, furniture and fixtures, a full commercial kitchen and fire suppression, technology and security for 40,000 square feet. The total cost for Phase I is $7,000,000 which includes a $1,500,000 endowment fund.
Phase II will include a $3,000,000 investment into remodeling an additional 18,000 square feet to create a teen center and community space. This will also grow and build the endowment fund with an additional $1,500,000.
Phase III will include building a full regulation size gymnasium for both BASE and community use. The total cost of Phase III is $3,000,000 which includes growing the endowment fund an additional $500,000.
"We're not just building a physical structure, we're creating a space for connection, growth, and empowerment." Hannah Bare, board chair for BASE stated. "This is an investment in the future of our city. As we prepare to launch our fundraising campaign for our BASE Community Center, we look forward to working with a variety of supporters to make this possible in our community.”
The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation is leading the way with a $2,750,000 grant to kick start the project. To date, BASE has secured a total of nearly $6,250,000 million dollars in pledges & donations from local donors, business donors including private foundations, individuals and local businesses. The organization is looking to raise the remaining funds by February to have construction completed in the summer of 2025 for Phase I. “We are very excited to embark on this important project for our community. We know the kids will benefit greatly from having a space in our community to be during the critical hours school is out. We hope with the community’s support we will be able to start our 20th school year in the new facility in September 2025!” said Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director.
As the organization reignites their campaign campaign, BASE is reaching out to supporters, both old and new, to help bridge the remaining funds needed to fully fund the project. Donations of any size are welcomed and encouraged to support the BASE Community Center.
For more information about the BASE Community Center and how to contribute to the fundraising campaign, please visit www.basefortatkinson.org/futurehome.
About BASE
Badgerland After School Enrichment Program INC (BASE) is a non-profit organization located in Fort Atkinson, WI. BASE provides critical care to kids in our community during the crucial hours when school is out. BASE is committed to providing quality, out of school care that will inspire our local youth to be contributing, productive and responsible community members through intentional programming that supports positive character development and unique opportunities to grow as individuals.
BASE is excited to announce the anticipated purchase of 1233 Janesville Ave for our Future Home location. The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation (FACF) has issued a $2.75 million grant for Phase I of our Future Home to help BASE raise a total of $12.5 million to purchase and renovate the Johnson Hill Press building located at 1233 Janesville Ave into a permanent home for BASE.
A standalone facility would allow the organization to expand and serve our community in a whole new way including providing space for early childhood education, dedicated programming areas for youth, a teen center, a community gym, a commercial kitchen and an outdoor recreation area.
Questions or interested in getting involved?
Badgerland After School Enrichment Program | 734 Madison Ave Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Alicia Norris, Executive Director | email alicia@basefortatkinson.org
920-542-6501 | www.basefortatkinson.org