In the News- Future Home Press Releases

Major Milestone: BASE to purchase new property for Future Home Project FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BASE purchases property for Future Home Project

[Fort Atkinson, WI, January 2025] – Badgerland After School Enrichment Program (BASE) purchased 1233 Janesville Avenue in Fort Atkinson WI on January 7th, 2025 with the help of Artisan Graham Real Estate. The property was once home to Johnson Hill Press and Endeavor Business Media. BASE will transform the space with the help of MSI General into a new community space that will house after school and summer programs for kids ages 5 & older, wrap around preschool programming in addition to being a community space for all ages.

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.

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.

The organization is well on its way to fully funding Phase I. The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation is leading the way with a $2,750,000 grant to kick start the project. Local individuals, businesses and foundations have also made significant donations. To date, BASE has secured a total of nearly $6,345,000 million dollars in pledges and donations for Phase I. The organization is looking to reach their $7,000,000 goal for Phase I 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.

BASE is looking for the community’s support for their Future Home project. Donations can be made to the project through the BASE Community Building Fund at the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation. Donations of any amount are welcomed and encouraged to support the project. Additionally, the community is encouraged to donate their time and talents by getting involved with the capital campaign committee or donating time to improvement projects.

“Our Future Home project is a significant investment into the Fort Atkinson community and BASE is looking for anyone who is interested in supporting this important project to join our effort.” Alicia Norris, BASE Executive Director stated. “Interested individuals can contact me via phone at 920-542-6501 or via email at alicia@basefortatkinson.org.”

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 has provided critical care to kids in our community during the crucial hours when school is out since 2005. 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. For more information, visit www.basefortatkinson.org or follow BASE on Facebook and Instagram.

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.