Sanibel Community Association,
has announced the launch of a
$3.5 million capital campaign to preserve,
renovate and modernize The
Community House.
“Terry Igo, the president of the Sanibel
Captiva Trust Company and past SCA
board member, has enthusiastically
accepted the position as chairperson for
the campaign. Already he has enlisted the
help of over 75 islanders to move this fundraising
phase into high gear,” Meek said.
“The Community House embodies the
spirit of Sanibel and the broad range of
people volunteering to help this campaign
reinforces how islanders come together for
a cause.”
“The Community House is a historical
gem and this campaign, by thoroughly
upgrading the building and grounds, will
restore it to the center of community life,”
said Igo. “It is our largest gathering place
on the islands and it’s very important that
it fully serve today’s residents and visitors.
In choosing a campaign logo that simply
states 1927 Capital Campaign, we honor
our long-standing place in the community
while reaffirming our ongoing commitment
to providing for the current and
future needs of our islands.”
The Community House was built in
1927 on donated land and by the islanders,
who worked side by side to construct
the building and turn it into their social
gathering place. Over the decades generations
of islanders have met there for every
conceivable civic, educational and social
event, including its signature Shell Fair and
Show that has attracted shell enthusiasts
from around the world for 75 years. The
passage of time, however, has taken its
toll on the original historic building and its
two additions.
“Since the 1990s there have been a
series of plans drawn up to rebuild The
Community House, but now our time has
come,” said Meek. “For over three years
the board has developed the strategy, the
vision, the passion, which have culminated
in the current schematic plans. We
thought of only one person to run the
capital campaign and we are delighted
Terry accepted the position. He has a
proven success record of leading capital
campaigns, including one for The Sanibel
School, and is the right person to get
people engaged and united for our common
goal.”
There will be a series of social events
held through the fall and winter to promote
the campaign and get islanders’
input. A kick-off party on November 9
will feature a dinner and homespun stories
by honorary co-chairs Francis Bailey
and Porter Goss and other islanders. It
will be an evening to celebrate what The
Community House has meant to this community
and what the future holds.
The architectural site plan and artistic
rendering of the grounds are on display
in the lobby as well as on www.sanibelcommunityhouse.
net and in a soon-to-be
released brochure
