Living Water Ministry plans move to former school

Three phases of project

Phase 1: $32,000 to demolish and seal off the oldest portion of the former school building

Phase 2: $230,000 to renovate interior to include recreation room, kitchen, offices and air conditioning

Phase 3: $140,000 to renovate grounds, possibly to include a garden and a soccer field

More information: www.hamilton-living-water-ministry.org

HAMILTON — A former Hamilton City School is being repurposed into a bigger and better location for Hamilton Living Water Ministry.

When Jefferson Elementary on South Eighth Street closed in June 2009, Living Water Executive Director Cathy Hester said she approached the school board about using the building and land to expand her organization.

“We thought it was an excellent idea,” said George Jonson, school board president. “They do tremendous work with the community and helping children. They saw a need and use for the land, so we were happy to work with them.”

The ministry will lease 2.7 acres from the school board at $1 a year for 20 years, Hester said.

The project, estimated to cost about $400,000, is being completed in three phases — partial demolition of the building, renovation of the inside and renovation of the grounds. Hester said phase two should be complete in March, when the ministry can start moving in.

“We’re putting in a kitchen because we feed the kids in the community during the summer, a larger recreation room, and turning some classrooms into offices for meetings with clients,” she said.

Hester said Living Water’s buildings on Sycamore Street — a former church and two houses — are for sale. After the move, Hester said the ministry will more efficiently offer its after school, summer and adult outreach programs at one location.

“This has been a volunteer-driven project,” Hester said. “It’s been unbelievable how the community has taken on the project.”

The project has received help from local churches and businesses, Miami University, and grants from the Hamilton Community Foundation and Community Development Block Grant.

Hester said about $280,000 is still needed for the project.

Sam Milligan, project manager, said he was approached by a member of the ministry’s board to oversee the construction.

“I’m a retired industrial arts teacher so I was interested in Living Water because a lot of my past students are in the area,” Milligan said. “It’s going to be awesome once they’ve moved in here.”