I hope this message finds you well and encouraged as we step into a new year together. Today, I’m excited to share several updates about our community. Observing both progress and the responses to recent challenges, I am confident that Montreat continues to move forward with a spirit of perseverance and care.
Rebuilding Continues
Repair efforts are progressing steadily, even while some projects remain at an early stage. Thanks to the hard work of our maintenance team, the Town of Montreat’s Public Works Department, and construction teams, Montreaters continue to see tangible progress toward the restoration that awaits in the months ahead.
Of concern to most locals, the Montreat Post Office reopened on January 27, having been (mostly) closed for the previous four months. While the MRA’s maintenance staff coordinated repairs and asbestos abatement – and while we awaited a final “OK” from postal authorities – Montreaters travelled patiently to Ridgecrest in the interim to pick up their mail. We are grateful to welcome Jordan, Nova, and friends back to Assembly Drive.
Meanwhile, the gymnasium-sized pile of treefall that grew on Welch Field through the autumn months has largely been removed. Montreat’s Public Works department had placed the debris there as they cleared roads and other town property in the wake of the storm. Public Works has pledged to ensure that the field is restored in time for summer use.
Elsewhere, most wilderness trails are reopened, though the Graybeard, Sanctuary, Julia Woodward, and Harry Bryan trails remain closed for now due to some damaged bridges and sections of the trails that will need significant repairs. Robert Lake Park has also reopened with some changes as well. After rebuilding them for the third time in ten years, gravel pathways have largely been replaced by mulch. (Parents will want to bring all-terrain strollers to the park this summer, so dust off that baby-jogger.) And, while plans are underway to rebuild the boardwalk that leads from the Anderson Auditorium parking lot, we are rerouting it to lessen the likelihood of flood damage in the future.
Some activities have been set back by unexpected damages and freezing weather. Temperatures in January burst pipes in some sections of Assembly Inn, which delayed final touches (painting, drywall, and trim work) and ultimate completion. Nevertheless, the Inn reopened on January 2nd and is once again welcoming guests for all sorts of activities. I was especially heartened to witness the resumption of our conference schedule with a successful College Conference @ Montreat earlier this month and The Manna Retreat for young adults this past weekend. These events remind us vividly of the vital work we do here.
Less successful was our projection that water would be flowing over the dam at Lake Susan by the end of 2024. As the project was wrapping up in late December, workers discovered that a portion of the lake’s retaining wall had collapsed under the weight of vehicular traffic and needed to be rebuilt. And, because mortar typically needs warmer temperatures to cure properly, January’s deep freeze delayed that work as well. As of the 29th, capstones were secured at the top of the repaired wall and final completion appears at hand.
To sum up, however, the conference center achieved its fall-quarter goal of returning to normal programming in time for 2025. The challenges faced have represented sidesteps rather than setbacks, and restoration of our campus remains ahead of schedule. We are eagerly planning for a busy spring and summer of programs, conferences, and activities.
Financial Report
Since Helene, Montreat Conference Center has received more than 1,800 gifts for hurricane relief totaling more than $1.2 million dollars. Notably, sixty-five percent of these gifts have come from first-time donors. To give you some context, our gift records coordinator has added more new records to our database over the last four months than were established over the previous five years.
As always, our donors deserve prompt and transparent communication about how their contributions are making an impact. As a reminder, the financial challenges we face in the wake of Hurricane Helene fall into three main categories:
- Restoring Insured Buildings. The number of buildings that sustained damage during the hurricane now stands at twenty. Estimates of the total cost of repair vary at this point, but the first major invoice – from ServePro, who removed all damaged flooring, walls, insulation, and dried out affected structures – exceeded $1.3 million. As actual repairs began, it became clear that the total cost of repairing our buildings would finish much higher than that.
Fortunately, since the earliest days of the recovery, we’ve enjoyed a good dialogue with our insurance representatives and assurances that our coverage is strong. At the same time, filing a claim of this magnitude requires time and resources, and we are still working methodically through the process. - Restoring Uninsured Buildings and Campus Areas. Some of the conference center’s structures, pathways, and shared outdoor spaces are not covered by insurance. Damage to these areas, including eroded trails and landscapes, requires significant investment to restore. These spaces are integral to the Montreat experience and a priority for recovery efforts.
- Replacing Lost Revenue. The closure of Montreat’s operations for three months due to the hurricane caused a substantial financial shortfall in our current operating budget. Lost revenue from canceled conferences, lodging, and programs has impacted our ability to sustain operations and support staff and programming.
To address these challenges, Montreat is relying on three key sources of support:
- Insurance. Fortunately, most of the buildings on our campus were insured for flood damage. Insurance will cover much of the cost of restoring insured buildings (though again, parts of our campus remain uninsured). Likewise, Montreat carries business-interruption insurance and so we anticipate some support for the lost revenue from earned income October through December.
- Possible Government Assistance. The Lake Susan renovation was planned for the winter of 2024-25 and was funded by a $1 million grant from the State of North Carolina. Due to the additional debris flow into the lake, that project exceeded its budget by $400,000. We are, therefore, exploring opportunities for disaster relief funding to supplement this effort.
- Philanthropy. Donations from our community will directly support the restoration of uninsured buildings, campus areas, and any additional operational recovery that is necessary, but this very tangible and remarkable response actually understates the value of philanthropic support we have received. The gifts have enabled us to move aggressively to meet the demanding schedule of capital repairs so that we can return to normal operations. Thanks to your support, we aren’t waiting for external approvals; rather, we are working as fast and as efficiently as possible, undergirded by the confidence that we will be able to fund a full recovery.
In summary, we’re implementing a recovery plan that combines insurance proceeds, targeted fundraising efforts, and strategic budget adjustments to cover the costs of repairs to restore and ensure our long-term sustainability. Your continued support makes all of this possible, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity. We will continue to communicate throughout 2025 on the financial story that is unfolding.
Lodge Update
Finally, an update on news we shared in December that the Montreat Conference Center’s board has decided to proceed with the demolition of three outdated buildings—Lord Apartments, Chestnut Lodge, and Galax Lodge—ahead of the summer season.
The board made the decision out of concern that the deteriorating condition of these buildings could pose ongoing safety concerns and maintenance challenges. Proactive demolition eliminates that risk and helps to ensure the safety of our community.
The decision also aligns with the board’s long-term planning for and stewardship of this campus asset for our mission and ministry. Moving forward allows the conference center to better prepare the site for potential future development. The buildings have been entirely vacant for over two years, and members see no point in securing or stabilizing structures that no longer serve a functional purpose.
In my December update, I indicated a desire to proceed with this work promptly following a decision from the North Carolina Court of Appeals on the conference center’s special use permit for the proposed new lodge (though the demolition is not a matter before the court). At present, there is no set timetable for when the court’s decision will be rendered. With that in mind, I notified the board’s executive committee last week that if our summer season is to remain a priority, we must move forward soon. Completing this work in advance will minimize disruption to our mission-driven activities and provides a more welcoming experience for guests. The executive committee concurred.
In summary, the board’s decision underscores its commitment to balancing immediate needs with future aspirations, ensuring the campus remains safe, functional, and ready to support our mission now and in the years ahead.
In closing, I want to thank you again for being an integral part of this community. (You must be if you have read this far!) As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or ideas. We are navigating this journey together – both challenges and opportunities – with faith, resilience, and hope for the future, and with God’s guidance, our efforts will help Montreat move forward stronger than ever.
More to come!
Richard DuBose
President, Montreat Conference Center