UBarU capital campaign

Digging Deeper to Go Higher

UBarU is the only UU-affiliated Camp and Retreat Center between North Carolina and California. We are open to the public and host a variety of events for both UUs and non-affiliated groups.  This makes us uniquely positioned to live our UU values by modeling communication and cooperation.   UBarU host groups inclined to work with us on common goals.

For the first time since its creation in 2001 UBarU is facing an issue so critical that if not dealt with promptly it may be forced to close. Our board members are stepping up with significant contributions, but we need additional help from as many of our friends as possible to join us to prevent the unthinkable. Since Capital Campaigns should not be frequent or usually only for a single issue, the board has authorized a wider plan to include three additional primary projects. Two deal with serious infrastructure issues that each affect a portion of our operations, and one helps strengthen our commitment to UU principles and values while providing for a modest step toward planned long-range growth. To further these goals, the UBarU Board of Directors has approved a capital campaign to raise $325,000 in support of four primary projects.  Three address infrastructure and environmental issues, and one provides ADA-compliant housing.  Each strengthens our mission statement “to be in harmony with Unitarian Universalist principles and the land.”  The projects ensure UBarU will continue to meet current demand and be positioned for future growth.  If funding allows, two small projects will contribute to sustainability with renewable energy and water conservation.

As a board, we struggled over how to ask for your support for things that aren’t shiny or new.  A new well and septic system are not as exciting as an organ, a new sanctuary or funding a new minister, but Infrastructure is now a hot topic, not just in our small corner of Gillespie County.

UBarU raises up and supports future lifelong UUs.  This is your opportunity to ensure that UBarU will continue to have the resources needed to continue to support UU’s, provide a sanctuary for spiritual, education and recreational growth.  

We ask you to join us in strong support of this campaign promoting UU values to all who visit us now and for years to come.

What

The infrastructure issues are water and age related.  One is so critical it could force UBarU to shut down if not promptly addressed.  One is an ADA-compliant cottage, which also provides an increase in overall housing, consistent with our long-range master plan.  The third ties into the new cottage.  Literally.  And the fourth is necessary to provide a camp experience crucial to the backbone of our denomination in the future.

The corresponding projects are:  

1.     Replace the current well with a mandated Public Water System to ensure adequate water supply for UBarU use.  ($170,000)

2.     Build an ADA-compliant cottage close enough to the Ranch House to share its new septic system  ($120,000)

3.     Replace the Ranch House septic system ($20,000)

4.     Make complete repairs to the swimming pool to eliminate leaks and ensure use into future summers.  ($15,000)

 Why

1.     Issue 1.  The infrastructure issues are around water to provide a secure, public certified water supply is so critical it could force UBarU to shut down if not promptly addressed. The existing well was drilled in 1945 and goes down 180 feet. It is only deep enough to reach the upper level of the Edwards Aquifer. Climate change has greatly affected the water level in the aquifer. The situation is exacerbated by more development around UBarU, leading to the drilling of more wells in our area, all drawing water from the same source. Regular monitoring of the water level in our own well confirms this problem is worsening to the point that UBarU may not have sufficient water to hold summer camps in 2023. This project is well underway - with your support the well has been drilled but there is still work to be done to meet the public water supply standards. Estimated total cost of a new well $170,000

2.     Issue 2.  Our long-range master plan calls for the addition of more private housing, including at least three more cottages (the most often requested form of housing).  If we take advantage of adding a new cottage close to the Ranch House, it can share the new replacement septic system.  The future additional cottage revenue will help offset the cost of the septic system.  Cottage rental is our best source of income after summer camps.   Minimum effort required from our staff is another reason to take advantage of this opportunity.  Since none of the other cottages are fully ADA-compliant, ensuring that this cottage meets the standard will finally open up this highly popular class of lodging for everyone.  Estimated cost for a cottage $120,000.

3.     Issue 3.  The Ranch House was built around the same time the well was drilled, shortly after WWII.  And it also has the oldest septic system.  It is past due for replacement.  It is also our single most requested cottage rental.  If we don’t fix this, we could be forced to take it out of service.  Estimated cost for a new system $20,000.

4.     Issue 4.  Our swimming pool is leaking badly. This is a major waste of our available water. The pool was originally a stock tank built the same time as the well to supply water for ranch animals. It was constructed using natural rock for its bottom, with a round masonry ring to complete the tank. However, the native rock is just limestone, which has been made even more porous by chlorine and other chemicals to keep the pool safe for swimming.  The short answer is, without a pool, we have no summer camps. This project is nearly completed.  Estimated cost for professional resurfacing the pool $15,000.

5.      Increase Sustainability-  Add solar panels (5-6 KW) to the roof of the new cottage-  UBarU has made good progress in offsetting our carbon footprint on the CTEC grid at UBarU with dedicated solar arrays that offset most of the power used by Hermitage and Sojourner cottages, the barn, observatory and ham radio shack.  We have two other arrays on the Brown Center that offset about a quarter of the power needs for the BC and Meeting House.    Adding solar panels on the new cottage would further reduce our overall net carbon footprint on the power grid.  New solar panels on the cottage should supply adequate power for both Ranch House and a new cottage.  CTEC, our electric provider gives one-to-one credit for any electric power we produce.  We would not only reduce the overall monthly utility power cost for UBarU, but we could see a cash credit at the end of each year for any cumulative excess power this new array could generate.

Estimated cost for additional solar arrays $15,000.

    Replace the toilets in the older buildings with modern low flush ones. Add water catchment systems on the Brown Center and other buildings for watering trees and grounds. Estimated cost for additional water conservation $10,000

 Notes. All donations to the capital campaign are tax-deductible. If you prefer to donate from retirement funds, please click the “Donate” button where you will find details on how to donate. Thank you!

To make a pledge, email treasurer@ubaru.org

Milky Way photo credit to Roy Ellzey