The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) this week sealed the deal to buy a lakefront property juxtaposed to the southeast perimeter of its main campus. According to President Ben White, the new add-on will allow the organization to expand services and activities, in line with projections for future growth.
The title of the property was transferred from previous owner Ruth Darling to LCS on Tuesday, August 18. The 808-square-meter plot includes the three-bedroom, three-bathroom main residence, a two-bedroom single-bath casita and ample garden areas, with entrance from the service road bordering the lakeshore.
Eventually, a wall running along the rear boundary will be removed to allow access from the LCS grounds. A new gateway from the south side will also make the campus more accessible to handicapped visitors. And the board is also exploring the possibility of obtaining a concession title for the shoreline federal zone as a potential parking area.
The acquisition was possible thanks to the largess of two anonymous donors who coughed up more than 90 percent of the US$380,000 purchase price and another friend of LCS who extended the organization an interest-free short term loan to cover the remainder.
White stresses that due to the generosity of these benefactors, the real estate acquisition will not impact existing economic resources restricted to the library, student aid programs and the reserve fund.
The goodwill of the seller was another vital factor in accomplishing the transaction. Darling took the property off the market when her listing agreement expired last April, giving LCS a three-month grace period to arrange financing.
After 23 years of ownership, Darling decided to put her comfortable, prime location home up for sale in order to downsize her living arrangements. She will be moving into one of the Nueva Posada garden villas built across the street from the hotel.
White says he and his board of directors are thrilled that “the stars aligned” to dovetail with plans for redeveloping the campus in anticipation of a new era on the horizon. “We need to prepare for the future and adjust for the expectations and needs of baby boomers coming to settle here.”
With added space, he believes LCS will now be in an excellent position to introduce new services and amenities for the membership, relocate educational outreach programs for the Mexican community to the main campus, preserve and expand green areas, and foster greater integration between native and foreign inhabitants.
“We on the board believe this is a fantastic opportunity for the LCS and the lakeside community,” he concludes.