March 10, 2006
The following statement was issued on March 8, 2006, by Windermere Baptist
Conference
Center, Inc. and Windermere Development Company, LLC regarding the sale of 941
acres
adjacent to the Conference Center by National City Bank to Windermere
Development
Company, Inc., on February 24, 2006. This transaction completes a two-step
process begun
when the Conference Center sold the 941 acres to National City Bank on
November 15, 2005.
The Board of Trustees, Board of Advisors and staff of Windermere Baptist
Conference Center
are pleased that the final step of their financial restructuring was completed
with the sale by
National City Bank of 941 acres of surplus, undeveloped land which it
purchased from the
Conference Center in November, 2005 to Windermere Development Company, LLC.
Windermere Development Company, LLC was established by Springfield developer
William
R. Jester. Mr. Jester agreed to purchase the property and develop it in a
manner that would
complement Windermere's master plan.
Mr. Jester currently has commercial real estate holdings of roughly 340,000
square feet and is
involved in numerous residential developments in the Springfield, Republic and
Lake of the
Ozarks area. Jester's various companies are known for high quality,
well-managed and
profitable real estate holdings. A team of highly qualified professionals
assist in the
management and strategic planning for his developments. The company is
committed to the
ownership and management of only the highest quality properties.
Mr. Jester has a history of significant involvement with Missouri Baptists. In
1999, Mr. Jester
made a $1 million structured gift to Southwest Baptist University to endow the
Jester
Learning and Performance Center which houses the University's library and
theatre.
Jester has a long-standing interest in the work and ministry of Windermere
Baptist
Conference Center. When meeting with the Center's Board of Trustees following
the
purchase of the land from National City Bank, Mr. Jester reiterated his desire
to coordinate
with the conference center to enhance its ministry as well as the entire area.
This transaction allows the continuation of the general theme of the
Windermere master plan.
The plan continues the vision and long range thinking of Windermere's Advisory
Board as far
back as 1991 and the Board of Trustees since 2001.
The initial phase of the master plan was begun with the development of
Wilderness Creek
which already provides auditorium seating for 1500, conference space for 600
and housing for
728 in nine completed lodge buildings. Work is progressing on five incomplete
lodge
buildings. The facility is designed to eventually include a second kitchen and
dining hall.
The development, because of its size and varied terrain, will lend itself to
being multi faceted.
The topography is mainly gently to moderately rolling. There is abundant
frontage on a hard
surface road and the property has significant lake shore frontage, and boat
access to the Lake
of the Ozarks. When completed under a master development plan the acreage will
include
town houses, villas, condominiums, private residences, commercial buildings,
and a possible
retirement facility.
A second phase of the Conference Center's master plan called for making use of
the
undeveloped land by establishing such a "Windermere Community". This community
will
appeal to the general public as well as friends of Windermere with an interest
in being close to
the campus and participating in campus activities. A significant benefit to
Windermere would
be a close and ready source of senior adults willing and able to be involved
in the growing
volunteer corps, providing opportunities to remain active in a well
established ministry.
The Windermere Development Company is committed to a cooperative relationship
with the
Conference Center. It is the belief of Mr. Jester and the Conference Center
leadership that
this will strengthen the Center's year round ministry to seniors and provide
many exciting
opportunities for the campus. Toward that end, at Mr. Jester's request, the
Board of Trustees
has established a committee to serve as a liaison with the Windermere
Development Company
to insure development activities are coordinated with the on-going ministries
of the
Conference Center.
God continues to bless Windermere with an approved balanced budget and a very
substantial
increase in our ministry based on already contracted groups. The growing
awareness of the
improved and enlarged facilities is a contributing factor in Windermere's
increasing Christian
Ministry.
Thousands have come to know Christ . . . countless numbers have renewed their
commitments
to God . . . hundreds have felt and accepted a call to ministry . . . others
have made
tremendous relationships or met their life partners. Windermere has always
been a place
where God is at work in the lives of men, women, boys and girls. Windermere is
about
building lives!
Windermere Baptist Conference Center with a proud heritage and 49 year history
continues to
fulfill its mission statement "As a dedicated Christ-like team we will provide
a Christian setting in which life changing experiences may occur for all
involved."
Windermere Baptist Conference Center
PO Box 458 | 205 Volunteer Drive | Roach, MO 65787
Phone: 573-346-5200 | Toll Free: 800-346-2215
Fax: 573-346-7612
