Plans are moving forward for a “multi-million dollar” project at Genesis Classical Academy (GCA) in Winnebago.
“I think we have reached a real crossroads,” says school Headmaster Renee Doyle. “We either have to grow and expand or say we are satisfied with where we are at and scale back.”
In March, a 15-member facilities planning committee held three two-hour meetings to discuss plans for expansion, which is estimated at $8 million to $8.5 million.
Doyle says the facilities committee was a cross-section of residents from Frost to Mankato representing a wide range of occupations.
“What came out of those meetings is that the community believes the multi-purpose building is needed most,” she says. “If we build it, it’s not going to be just for Genesis. The community could use it.”
School officials hired a Mankato architectural firm at a cost of nearly $12,000 to do drawings and surveys.
The project would include the addition of six classrooms and renovation of the building for a gymnasium/auditorium.
Doyle says the expansion would likely be done in phases, with the multi-purpose building portion costing about $5 million.
For now, school officials will form building committee and search for a project director and marketing manager.
“The plans for a fundraising campaign are being worked on right now,” says Doyle. “There is great community support, but we will be having community meetings to make sure we are moving in the right direction.”
The private non-denominational Christian school this year had an enrollment of nearly 120 students in grades pre-K through 11th grade. Next school year, there are plans to add a 12th-grade level, upper-level courses, staff, programs and sports.
GCA opened in 2015 with about 30 students in grades pre-K though 4 in the north end of Heartland Senior Living-Parker Oaks campus. In 2020, GCA purchased the adolescent treatment center building operated by United Hospital District for $500,000.