| A safe, sober place to live for Islanders in early
recovery from substance abuse |
| |
New Campus
 |
|
Artist's rendering of future Vineyard House campus
|
From Dream to Reality: Vineyard House Plans New Campus
Once an impossible dream, VHI's new campus project is becoming a
reality thanks to the hard work of the Building Committee and top Island
architect Heikki Soikkeli, as well as support from Tisbury's
town fathers and the community at large.
What is the status of the project?
VHI has acquired the property. As most readers know, the land is
almost two and a half acres located at the top end of Holmes Hole Road
(opposite the Black Dog on State Road in Vineyard Haven). This land is
being sold to VHI at a below-market price by Jerry Goodale. "We can't
begin to express thanks enough to Mr. Goodale," says VHI Development
Committee chair Mary Nada.
The architectural plans for the campus continue to be refined by Heikki
Soikkeli, who is not charging for his professional services. Heikki's
plans are for a 12,000 sq ft facility divided into two buildings - a 7,000
sq ft building for 25 male residents and a manager and a 5,000 sq ft structure
for 12 women and a manager. This increases the total number of beds from
the present capacity of 22 to 37.
"The design is an interpretation of traditional Vineyard architecture,"
says Heikki Soikkeli. "The campus will look very much at home in
its setting." The facility will have space for VHI administration
and support group meetings, as well as accommodations for house managers.
Efficient, cost effective and more beds for those in need
It is VHI's desire to consolidate its workings in a low-maintenance facility
that is partly behind the drive for the campus project - that and an interest
in satisfying the community's demand for more beds for people who need them.
"We have become victims of our own success," says VHI Screening
Committee chair Sandy Broyard. "As word of our program spreads, we
have become inundated with requests for our services, and that means there
are inevitably waiting lists for all the houses." Adds House Management
Committee chair and VHI president Dana Anderson: "The worst
part of this job is turning people away because we just don't have the
space."
Particulars
What: A residential facility for people in early recovery from
substance abuse divided into male and female quarters with space also
for administration, resident manager accommodations, and support group
meetings.
Who: There will be room for 37 residents and two house managers.
Where: The campus will be located on Short Hill Road in Tisbury,
which is off Holmes Hole Road.
When: Projected completion date for the project is early '07.
How much: Projected cost of the project is $4 million |
Moving the project forward: local support
The Building Committee continues to work closely with the town on the
challenging but essential process required for permitting of a project
of this scale. According to VHI Exective Director Brian Mackey, who serves
on the Building Committee, the town has been extremely receptive to the
project. "It is gratifying to see that wherever possible the town
is bending over backwards to accommodate us," says Brian, "and
I have been told in private by more than one member of a town board that
it is because they support our mission so strongly."
To all those directly participating in this exciting project, we say
thank you and bravo. To all those who have not yet become involved, we say, Don't
worry, we know where to find you as the Capital Campaign continues!
|
