Fundrasing for Cage Renovation Outdoes That of New Arts Center
The Thompson Cage and Fisher Theater, both widely-used facilities in need of renovation, are completing fundraising at strikingly different speeds. Fundraising for the Cage, which began at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, has been nearly completed, in just over four months. Fisher Theater was originally constructed as a temporary facility in the 1970s and was constructed out of a warehouse. Upper Raul Galvan, who participates in plays and is on the DRAMAT board, said that in its current state the theater is “ugly, dysfunctional and in a terrible location… I think everyone who participates in theater here would agree.”
Senior Caroline Sullivan agreed and said the current theater is entirely unsatisfactory for the program. “It feels like Fisher Theater was built by someone who knows nothing about theater, so it’s disappointing that we’ve had to keep it up for so long.”
Sullivan said that good facilities can attract a greater level of participation from students, which she hopes will occur once the new theater is constructed. However, she said that it was unsurprising but disappointing to see the cage get funding so much more quickly. “I think it’s just true in general that sports are more apt to receive funding faster than the arts,” though she added that that doesn’t reflect the values of Exonians, “seeing as the arts are so integral to so many students’ experiences here.”
“The plans look amazing. We’re probably gonna have the best indoor track in the state.”
The cage, too, is in need to renovation; in its current state, students have suffered injuries and at times have been unable to train. Director of Athletics Shane LaPointe said that she anticipates a successful final season for its use this winter. “I think we’ll get through this season with the current cage. Is it the ideal situation? No.”
Upper and runner Issay Matsumoto said that the cage was “largely unusable” last season due to water leakage, “rendering it a disastrous mud trap.” He explained that in order to support the breadth and ability represented in Exeter’s track program, the facility needed to be renovated as soon as possible. However, LaPointe noted that it is important for athletes to do their best to remain optimistic and grateful. “How can you complain when other schools train in the hallways of their high school? We will kind of limp through this year… we will do our very best to support [our runners] until this new cage is built.”
The new cage facility hopes to accommodate a 200m track, four indoor tennis courts and space for field events. A second floor, larger than the size of the current Thompson Gymnasium, will be available for wrestling. Below the new facility will be a 175-spot parking lot. Physical education instructor Bruce Shang said the facility is an exciting one for the department. “The plans look amazing,” he said. “We’re probably gonna have the best indoor track in the state.” Shang added that because the new facility will be used by Exeter High School, “it’s great for our community.”
LaPointe said that while the fundraising process is not quite complete, “it is very close” and that the donations have “been coming in faster than other projects.” While the cost of the renovations is not public, Principal Lisa MacFarlane said that they are both “significant in terms of their cost, as well as their contributions to our campus.” Comparing the projects, she said, was “difficult” to do without a full understanding of the complexities that accompany facility planning, fundraising strategies and school programming. LaPointe said that it can be easier to raise money for the athletic department because alumni who played on sports teams during their time at the school feel permanently tied to the school. “It can be easier to raise money for athletics because there is a clear delineation of identifying it when the institution’s name is on your chest or on your back as they are in sports teams… I think we have an advantage over other departments [there].” She said that while the work of other departments is equally as important and are “doing amazing things… they aren’t necessarily like ‘EX-ET-ER’ as much as our department is.”
MacFarlane was hesitant to make the same connection that athletic fundraising is easier simply because of its connection to sports on campus. “Our alumni and parents are among the most generous anywhere,” she said. “The different timelines reflect myriad circumstances.”
Regardless of the reasoning for a slower fundraising process, students were frustrated that the construction may be delayed due to the desperate situation of Fisher Theater, and some blamed the lack of emphasis on the importance of the arts on campus for fewer donations. Upper Nada Zohair said that students who take part in the performing arts on campus “deserve a space that reflects that,” contrary to the current situation of Fisher theater. But Zohair was not surprised by the comparative ease with which funds have been raised for the new cage. “Sports are more popular,” she said, “because they attract a wide range of people… as compared to the 70 different students who use the theater per term. So I can understand why places like the cage are given priority.”
The trustees do not tend to borrow money for projects and, rather, try to raise money from alumni for each specific project. However, if it were necessary, MacFarlane said it might be a possibility to borrow money for the new theater and dance center. “Borrowing money is always an option and current interest rates make that a possibility,” she said. However, if borrowing was the Board of Trustees’ choice to ensure the performing arts center is constructed in a timely manner, MacFarlane said that the school would “do so prudently… Our Trustees have not yet determined the exact financing path forward, but rest assured that our finance team and our trustees are extremely thoughtful and conservative,” and that borrowing money is not the first choice when constructing a new project.