The 16,000-square-foot facility includes a full-size gymnasium that can be converted to worship space, a game room, and meeting rooms. A climbing wall set apart from the gym is scheduled to be completed soon.
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The multi-purpose facility dramatically improves the camp’s ability to handle large or multiple groups, says Jim Steere, Covenant Harbor’s director of development. “That’s been a big issue for us.”
Even though the camp has 400 available beds, it previously could not accommodate groups of more than 200 people due to the lack of meeting space, Steere explained. That same problem also prevented the camp from hosting two large groups at the same time.
The facility actually has been open since last fall. The camp hosted the Central Conference Annual Meeting in the building earlier this year.
The center also will provide more opportunities for campers when weather turns inclement. Several years ago, the Deep Freeze camping event lived up to its name when temperatures dropped to 20-below zero, Steere says. The lack of space meant the campers were unable to participate in large-scale recreational activities.
The facility cost approximately $3.2 million, with the camp still needing to raise $700,000. Steere says that if the camp can raise $400,000 by the end of September, an anonymous donor has pledged to give another $200,000.
The center is named for Bob and Lynette Jackson, long-time supporters of the camp who were the initial donors for the project. The Jacksons led the fundraising drive, but Steere emphasizes, “It definitely has not been a one-family show.”
