10 Aug Wichita nonprofit launches $20M capital campaign for new building
A local nonprofit organization has big plans for a 25-acre parcel of land in far east Wichita.
The Fundamental Learning Center is undertaking a $20 million capital campaign to raise money to construct an educational facility, fund operations and create an endowment. The 43,000-square-foot building would account for roughly $15 million of that cost, executive director Jeanine Phillips tells the Wichita Business Journal.
Fundamental Learning Center is working with GLMV Architecture on plans for the facility, which will include wings for an academic lab, teacher training and administration. A gymnasium that will double as a severe weather safe room also is part of the plans, Phillips says.
A general contractor has not been selected.
Taking an optimistic timeframe, Phillips wants construction to start on the building in 18 months.
Fundamental Learning Center serves children with reading, spelling and writing difficulties — particularly those with dyslexia. The organization also trains parents and educators on working with students who have dyslexia.
Phillips says her organization is benefitting from increased awareness about learning difficulties associated with dyslexia.
The new site, Phillips says, will help Fundamental Learning Center expand its services.
The organization recently purchased a 25-acre site near 143rd Street East and Central. While a Wichita address, the property is in the Andover school district.
Ted Branson, and David Leyh, both with Landmark Commercial Real Estate Inc., represented the seller the transaction. Marlin Penner, president of John T. Arnold Associates Inc. represented Fundamental Learning Center.
Phillips says the water features and topography of the land will aid science-based learning.
Fundamental Learning Center will remain in its 20,000-square-foot space at 2220 E. 21st Street North until the new campus is completed. The organization moved signed a lease for the East 21st Street site in 2015 and relocated from 917 S. Glendale in the Parklane Shopping Center.
Fundamental Learning Center opened in 2001. The organization has about 10 administrative personnel and a dozen contract staff.
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