By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
A $10 million fundraising campaign to renovate and modernize the Rosthern Junior College (RJC) High School is already nearly a third of the way to its goal, as more than $3.25 million has been pledged or donated by alumni and other supporters.
On Sunday, March 15, the RJC Renew campaign was officially launched with a short ceremony inside the RJC High School chapel.
RJC President Ryan Wood began his address by reporting on the current state of the school, which hit a 20-year enrolment high this year of 120 students.
As well, he indicated that they were able to re-introduce Grade 9, something that many parents and students had requested.
“I am so proud of our staff and the educational programming experience that we offer. It’s a great place to study, live and learn,” he said.
Wood noted that many of their students are children of alumni or members of Mennonite churches, but a large portion of their students are from other faith backgrounds and they have a number of First Nations and Métis youth enrolled as well.
“These people all bring value and diversity and joy to our campus and make all of our experience richer as a result of their presence. We truly are a Mennonite school for the world,” he said.
With that in mind, Wood acknowledged that their school is in need of work, given how it was constructed around 60 years ago.
A professional facilities assessment conducted by the board identified that the “bones of the building” are still good, eliminating the need for a costly demolition and reconstruction of RJC, which Wood suggested would have cost eight times as much as a renovation.
Nevertheless, the school has many issues that need to be addressed, including leaking roofs, aging boilers, an asbestos remediation, modernized classrooms, and upgrades relating to accessibility, fire suppression and security.
“The need to teach from a peace and justice faith perspective, based on the dignity of all people in a supportive, loving and accepting community, is as needed as much now for our kids as it ever has been,” Wood said.
“The education that RJC provides is critical, but we do need safe and secure buildings to teach and live in. Without schools like RJC, where will our future leaders be trained? What values will they hold? And what teachings will influence them as they go on to make decisions?”
An information booklet provided at the Renew campaign launch indicates the $10 million fundraising target includes $4.5 million for upgrades to the dormitory and dining hall, $3.5 million in upgrades to the school building and $2 million to support the school’s operational budget and various administrative costs.
To achieve their goal, Wood said they have partnered with DCG Philanthropic Services and also established a strong team of volunteers and alumni from across the country.
While $10 million is a daunting fundraising target, Wood shared they have already raised more than $3.2 million in pledges from early donors.
About 48% of those donations have come from Alberta, while another 42% are from Saskatchewan, he said, adding the remaining 10% has come from other provinces or even internationally. This fed into another point made by Wood: that the RJC Renew Campaign is not limited to Rosthern and area.
“We are fiercely proud about being in Rosthern, and we want to continue giving back and continue to working in the community. But we are also home to students from all over the world,” he said.
RJC Board Chair Sanne Gillingham shared at the launch that every member of the board has contributed to the fundraising campaign, and together with the staff, they have raised more than $250,000 so far.
“As we continue offering this unique educational experience here on Treaty 6 Territory, the home of the Métis, we believe that RJC will continue shaping young lives for another 50 to 70 years,” she said.
During the launch, Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block, whose riding includes the town of Rosthern, brought greetings on behalf of the federal government.
“RJC has been more than a school. It has been a place where Christian values, education and community come together,” Block said.
“This Renew campaign, undergirded by faith, represents a bold vision to ensuring that RJC’s legacy doesn’t just endure, but thrive.”
While Wood cited Isaiah 43:19 (“Behold I am doing a new thing”) as a sort of motto for the campaign, Block also quoted Romans 12:2, which calls on Christians to not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed through a renewal of the mind.
“Similarly, by investing in the renewal of these facilities, you are securing a space where future students can be transformed. Where they can discover their purpose and can grow in a supportive environment,” she said.
Town of Rosthern Mayor Dennis Helmuth, whose three sons are RJC alumni, said that in recent years the dialogue between the town and the school has evolved to a really good point, which was not always the case previously.
He acknowledged that building infrastructure can be difficult — the Town of Rosthern is itself tasked with building a new $19.6 million water treatment facility.
However, Helmuth noted he has always been intrigued by the idea of “soft infrastructure” and building supportive communities.
“It’s remarkable how your mission and vision meshes with our local mission and vision, and perhaps even beyond to a national level,” he said.
Rosthern Junior College (RJC) President Ryan Wood speaks at the official launch of the $10 million fundraising campaign on Sunday, March 15.
Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block brought greetings on behalf of the federal government.
Town of Rosthern mayor Dennis Helmuth also spoke at the campaign launch.
RJC Board Chair Sanne Gillingham shared the details of her counterparts’ personal financial commitment to the Renew campaign.