Shambala
Gayner said.
However this year provided troubles for the center, starting in the spring with the COVID-19 pandemic.
After closing for health precautions, the center planned to reopen sometime in the late spring. But as the pandemic continued, Gayner said the center had no choice but to extend the closing, eventually settling on a soft reopening in May 2021.
This extended closure was a major financial hit for the center. A financial analysis found the center would come up short $1.5 million for the year due to the lack of visitors and program patrons.
While Gayner said this was a “daunting task to address,” center leaders developed a plan to bounce back.
“Through using the various things such as the Paycheck Protection Program and by cutting costs and developing other sources of revenue, we managed to get up to a break-even projection by the end of the year,” Gayner said. “Then the fire took chunks of our revenue projections, things we were planning on doing.”
Gayner said a varied degree of damage and destruction was noted after a group of center staff members were able to visit the aftermath. He said many buildings were lost to the fire, including staff housing, meditation buildings, a Stupa support building as well as an art studio and trailer, which led to the loss of around 1,000 unique art pieces.
In terms of infrastructure, he said the fire damaged the center’s water and power systems, and there is more impact to be assessed.
“There are just a lot of things that we don’t know yet, but the initial analysis is it could have been a lot worse,” Gayner said.
Among the buildings that withstood the fire include the Great Stupa itself, a building made mostly out of concrete. However, many of the buildings, including the Stupa, sustained smoke damage. The damage to the exterior and interior of the building, Gayner said, is already being addressed by a professional art restorer.
Gayner said the surviving buildings were able to withstand the fire because of the work of firefighters.
“The incredible service of the firefighters was huge; there’s burn marks that stop within a few feet of some of the buildings,” Gayner said. “That shows how much of a fight the firefighters put up to protect the buildings. (We) have incredible gratitude for their courage.”
Gayner said the center has seen a great deal of financial support from donors and patrons. In response to a fire relief fund on the center’s Facebook page, more than 800 donors have raised more than $70,000.
“It is just clear that it is very reassuring and meaningful to just hear from hundreds of people reaching out with messages of love and concern,” said Travis Newbill, marketing content manager for the SMC.
Mac Mcgoldrick, senior director of master planning and project management for the center, said he is not surprised by the outpouring of the SMC stakeholders, as he knows them.
“It is a very special place, and I think it brings out the best in people,” Mcgoldrick said.
Gayner said having to leave the land was hard on those who work there and are deeply connected to the land.
“It is a magical environment,” Gayner said. “To live through to witness that kind of loss is painful; it is hard for folks.”
Newbill said while he has been working remotely since the pandemic and was not evacuated for the fire, he feels saddened by the loss of the buildings.
“Some of the structures that burned I have so much affection for, and even more impactful than that, my friends were living in those structures,” Newbill said.
Those who had to leave, Gayner said, have found lodging for now, but are ready to get back up to the land and continue the center’s mission.
A few key steps must be taken before returning, Gayner said, including a check of the drinking water system and the wastewater system, as well as power restoration. He added professionals must also inspect the smoke damage and ensure buildings are safe to live in.
Gayner said once this is all possible he anticipates employees will move back up quickly, with some camping in the area as soon as possible to look after the center and begin rebuilding work.
Mcgoldrick said while this has been saddening, there is a sense of positivity for the direction of the rebuild, as the center can be brought back in a “intentional and sustainable way.”
“While devastating in every way it is, there is a bit of a silver lining for me,” Mcgoldrick said. “I think SMC will recover even stronger.”
Gayner said the center is planning to hold some programs that align with COVID health restrictions once rebuilding is complete. This rebuilding, he said, is important to both employees and those who visit the center.
“Things in our world are so fast and divided and confused, and to have a moment where you can … be able to tune into something that is really wholesome and transcends these worldly challenges we experience, that is really beneficial,” Gayner said. “Our world needs that kind of thing.”