Bath Rotary - Major Projects - Rotary Building Project

In 1972, the Bath Rotary Club formed a non-profit trust with the officers of the club being the officers of the trust. Certain selected Rotarians, who have expertise, interest, and experience, serve as the building committee to provide continuity to the project.

The project started that year with the erection of a single story ranch house that sold for $21,500 and provided a profit of $3,000. That first house is assessed in 1991 at $107,900.

Since then, club efforts have resulted in:

          *Eighteen new buildings housing 23 families;
          *Rehabilitation of one home;
          *New building housing the Bath Municipal Band;
          *Increased city tax base values by over $2million;
          *Tax receipts by the city of over $200,000;
          *Purchased $959,000 in lab materials for students;
          *Needed tools and equipment purchased for the local vocational school worth $20,000;
          *Provided over $25,000 in tools to graduating students;
          *Donated over $8,000 in tool ships;
          *Awarded over $25,000 in scholarships.

House under constructuion on Congress St., Bath

The vocational school students begin in September to build. They continue under the watchful eyes of the school directors and teachers and erect the building during the school year.

The modular units are put on the market at a fair market value when completed. Income generated over and above the costs to complete the product is partially held in reserve to start up the next year. The rest is allocated towards the purchase of equipment, tools and scholarships.

Equipment needed by the vocational school is purchased as needs are identified and funds become available. Each student completing the two-year program receives a partial set of tools for his/her selected trade. Top students each year receive “tool ships”, a complete set of tools for his/her selected trade.

Any student going on to a college education are also eligible for scholarships from the Bath Rotary Charitable Trust funded in part by these building projects.

A new modular home was completed by the current vocational students. This year, 2008, we formed a partnership and began working with the The Modular Advantage, a Brunswick Modular Dealer, to build a Modular house on site. The home was sold through the The Modular Advantage and was moved to a foundation in Fayette in June of 2008.

The construction of these buildings are great learning opportunities for the students and are intended to help the students gain skills in framing, hand and power tool safety, measurements and blueprint reading. The next building will be started in September 2008.

The Bath Rotary Club is committed to continue this building project for many years to come.

For further information, contact the Bath Rotary Club.

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