Rooted in Learning
A campaign to expand the learning and community experience.
At its core, Bergman believes great schools contribute to the vibrancy and success of its community. It has done just that as a permanent resident in Greenwood-Ashworth Park. Since moving to the old Science Center of Iowa building in 2008, Bergman has made multiple improvements to both the physical structure and the surrounding area, including funding and installing a playground as a gift to the City of Des Moines in Greenwood Park.
Bergman views itself as a steward of this park and, for many years, we have been excited at the opportunity to continue this tradition by expanding our school to include a multipurpose space that will serve our students and community. Today that vision is a reality as we embark on a historic $4 million capital campaign to build the Student Activity Center - a multipurpose space for our students, families, and larger community.
Over the past year, we have continued to firm up our agreement with the City of Des Moines and, in the second half 2020, we conducted a feasibility study to determine if we could secure the funds philanthropically. Your response was overwhelming! Together, we can make this dream a reality for our students, teachers, and larger community.
Since then, ID8 Architects have been engaged to design a space suitable for both PE & Wellness and Fine & Performing Arts programs in addition to multipurpose uses for large gatherings. School leadership engaged Ball Construction to take our next steps for the building, and we began early phases of a Capital Campaign. To date, we are halfway to our fundraising goal of $4 million thanks to the generosity of our community.
The multipurpose space - anticipated to open in the 2023-24 school year - will be an additional asset to the community and attraction in the park. While the space will be used during school hours by Bergman Academy students and staff, it will be available to the surrounding community to use for community sports leagues, community meetings, social gatherings, and more.
The exterior and interior design honors the architecture of the existing building and surrounding park land, complimenting the unique architectural style of the old Science Center of Iowa building. The 10,300 square feet of new construction will include a basketball court, performing arts stage, locker rooms and green room, storage, concession area, and seating for over 500 guests with telescopic bleachers and chair placement.
