SAVE House Memorial Event - March 22nd
Date: Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: SAVE Outdoor Classroom at West Broad Street Elementary School (342 West Broad Street, Souderton)
The two Students Against Violating the Earth (SAVE) buildings in the Souderton Area School District are the result of an enormous amount of collaborative work by students, staff, and community toward preserving our environment. Since their construction in 1996 and 2005, the buildings served as a place of learning and gathering, not only for people in the Souderton Area School District, but also regionally. I believe the SAVE buildings are among the greatest indications of Souderton’s community support for education.
Since the new high school facility in Franconia Township opened 15 years ago, alternative environmental education opportunities on the property have expanded, including an on-campus greenhouse and a wetlands basin. Both, especially the greenhouse, serve as focal points for environment-related curricular instruction, as well as many co-curricular activities. Correspondingly, the need for using the two buildings on the campus of West Broad Street Elementary School has decreased significantly over time. In fact, since just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the buildings have not been used by students. Our SAVE club is still as strong as ever, but its work, priorities, and facility needs have evolved over the last 25 years. Please note that the adjoining trails are still used by both students and the community, and sustained use is planned for the future.
Now, as we look to continue our commitment to environmental student leadership, we evaluated those original buildings and recognized the need to make a difficult decision. A recent feasibility study of maintaining the two properties estimated that in order to again make the two buildings safely usable, it would cost well over $500,000. With upcoming renovations to West Broad Street Elementary School, it has been determined that it is not financially sustainable to maintain the two SAVE buildings. The potential costs and the buildings’ lack of use has led to the decision to raze the buildings as part of the construction project on the campus.
It is very important for us to honor the tremendous amount of work that was devoted to constructing and sustaining the activities at the two SAVE buildings. Therefore, we are hosting a memorial event on Saturday, March 22nd, at 10:00 AM in the SAVE Outdoor Classroom at West Broad Street Elementary School (342 West Broad Street, Souderton).
All are invited to attend.