VVS Sets Ambitious Deadline to Complete SEED Land Plans This Year

The Verde Valley School (VVS) is set to finalize plans for the refurbishment of three unfinished campus buildings that were previously associated with the defunct Camp Soaring Eagle by the end of the year. This redevelopment marks a significant step for the institution, as it will be the first addition of classroom space in 25 years.

Kathryn Joyce, VVS Director of Advancement, shared that the buildings will be repurposed into dedicated centers: the Center for STEM Programs and Research, the Center for Global Languages, and the Center for Sustainable Design and Wellness. Ongoing design efforts aim to transform these structures to align with their new missions.

The planned Center for Sustainable Design and Wellness will feature a commercial kitchen and dining hall, slated to host farm-to-table events. Head of School Ben Lee emphasized the dual purpose of the renovated facilities. “When not in use by VVS, these buildings could host weddings, conferences, or executive retreats,” he noted, underscoring an aim for self-sufficiency.

The VVS Board of Trustees established a task force to oversee the development of the 90 acres of unused property, now dubbed the Southwest Ethnobotanical Education Destination. Lee indicated that renovations of the existing structures could require an investment of $3 to $4 million and two years for completion. The task force’s responsibilities also include crafting a branding and marketing strategy to ensure profitable uses that align with the school’s values.

Moreover, VVS stands to gain from a recent bitcoin donation exceeding half a million dollars from an alumnus, dedicated specifically to infrastructure improvements. The school is currently exploring bond financing options alongside strategies to create non-tuition revenue from the SEED land.

Development of additional acreage will necessitate the construction of a new fire access road and the finalization of an ongoing wastewater study, with Lee estimating that bids for the road might be solicited before the current academic year concludes. “The next step is designing the septic system for the three new buildings,” he elaborated, acknowledging it as a major undertaking.

Notably, discussions around using part of the space for concerts or live music have been put to rest, according to Board of Trustees Chairwoman Tamara Cook. She mentioned that while an amphitheater was initially part of the design, community concerns led to a decision against it. “For this round, it’s definitely not considered,” Cook affirmed.

In closing, she emphasized the potential of the vast land available for creative opportunities while maintaining focus on the immediate necessity of addressing the three buildings. “We’re just biting off the piece that’s sort of the obvious elephant in the room,” she remarked, suggesting hopeful evolution beyond the current projects.