$1 Million Challenge Match – Above and beyond!
January 20, 2024
Thank you to all who made pledges and gave gifts between July 31, 2023 and January 20, 2024. Demontreville is very blessed to have generous donors.
This will help us move towards our overall goal of $10 million.
Vision
In 2023, Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House will celebrate its 75th anniversary of its founding.
To celebrate this important landmark in our history, and as a way to honor the late Fr. Edward Sthokal, S.J., who served at Demontreville for 58 years, Demontreville is beginning a Campaign to raise funds for a project of building and renovations. You are invited to help the Campaign reach its goal, and to help enhance the retreat experience for generations to come. Thank you for your interest and prayerful consideration of a gift.
Demontreville’s leadership has been working with an architect in creating a plan to improve the buildings in which men stay on the weekends. As an exercise of good stewardship, the plan will preserve the best aspects of the retreat experience for those who come to Demontreville. The project will have two phases and construction will only take place Monday through Thursday morning when retreatants are not present. Below are the various initiatives we hope to fund through a capital campaign:
PHASE 1: Build a New House (approximately 2 years)
Estimated Cost: $3 million
Renovations and updates to the existing six houses will require a loss of 10 bedrooms total. To compensate for the loss, our plan includes building a new house across from the main entrance (next to Campion). The new house will be approximately 9,000 square feet total. The new house will be on one level (no stairs) with 10 bedrooms, each with a private full bathroom. Building the new house will maintain Demontreville’s capacity of 72 men per retreat.
PHASE 2: Renovate Existing Housing (approximately 3 years)
Estimated Cost: $5 million
The six Colonial style houses (built in the 1920’s) have served us well. After decades of wear and tear, the time has come to give them some attention. Our plan will increase the number of bathrooms, showers, and upgrade the mechanicals and furnishings. The updating will make the houses more comfortable and accessible for older guests, and more appealing to a younger generation of retreatants. It is important to address needs of today and tomorrow’s retreatants to remain a vibrant place well into the future. Building enhancement projects include:
- Addition of bathrooms in each building
- Add air conditioning to Manresa, Loyola, and Regis (the other houses have A/C)
- Upgrade mechanicals (plumbing and electrical) and furnishings (beds, chairs, desks, lighting)
The renovations will be done in a way that respects and preserves the distinct historical character of each building. The layout of the rooms will be respected while restoring the charm of the original architectural design.
ADDITIONAL NEEDS:
Estimated Cost: $2 million
The campaign will also help cover costs of architectural designs, fundraising, a 10% contingency for unforeseen construction expenses and improvements in Keegan Hall (main retreat house building). These improvements include the Jesuit residence section, sound-proofing the conference rooms, restoration/cleaning of artwork, repair/ replacement of wood paneling on some walls, and other items that need attention.
