Heritage Snapshot: Part 145

When Dr. B. Lyn Behrens became president of Loma Linda University in 1990, she began talking to Mr. Don Prior, vice-president for Development, about priorities. Dr. Behrens came directly to the question of a recreation and wellness center, a topic she had discussed with the former president, Dr. Norman J. Woods. “We thought we’d do it in three phases,” Mr. Prior replied. “We would build a swimming pool first and then the gymnasium, and then finish off everything in the third phase. You may have different plans. We’re not so far along, however, that we can’t change, if you have different priorities.” “This is a very important project, and our institution needs it very badly,” Dr. Behrens replied. “But now I want to do it all at once. One phase.” Prior, the consummate fund raiser, almost fell off his chair. “You’re talking millions of dollars!” The President acknowledged the cost, estimating it to be between $15 million and $17 million. “We already own the land,” she added. “Is such a thing possible?” Mr. Prior agreed. “Well, yes. Provided one thing, Dr. Behrens. To raise $16 million, we have to have a gift of just over $8 million. That would name the facility and with that large a gift we could raise the rest of the money. It won’t be easy, mind you, but I think it can be done.” This project would be added to the rest of Prior and his team’s work in raising money for the schools of the University, scholarships, and operating endowments. “We’ll make the recreation and wellness center a special capital project. We just have to get one large gift that would fund at least 51% of the cost. Did Mr. Prior have anyone in mind? “I have been thinking about Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Drayson.” Dr. Behrens admitted that the same name had also come to her mind. The Draysons owned the Alto Camino Mobile Home Park in Loma Linda. “How do we go about this?” Dr. Behrens asked. Don mentioned some steps, some of which had already been taken. The Draysons certainly knew Loma Linda University, because the institution had involved them as members of the University Councilors. Dr. Drayson had, in fact, been the president of the organization at one time. “So all we have to do is ask,” Don Prior replied. “Together the two administrators planned an informal luncheon in Dr. Behrens’ office. In addition to the Draysons, Dr. Don Pursley (LLU’s Vice-President for Financial Affairs) would also attend. In due course, the meal concluded, Behrens pictured her dream for the future of LLU. “My first priority, however, is a recreation and wellness center; a place where our commitment “to make man whole” becomes a reality—to engender physical fitness, social exchange, intellectual stimulation and spiritual nurture.” She pointed out that many LLU students came from academies that had good recreational facilities. How ironic that LLU promoted health but didn’t have a decent gymnasium, swimming pool, or athletic field. The Draysons loved the presentation. Then, at the right moment, Don Prior asked: “Dr. and Mrs. Drayson, we’ve been giving a lot of thought to this. What we need is a very large gift. This is a $16 to $17 million project. It will take a large gift to make it a reality. If we can get one gift for which we’re willing to name the facility—51% of the total cost—we can do this. We can raise the rest of the money. Don mentioned driving with Dr. Drayson by the mobile home park a few weeks before and suggested, “Maybe you good people would consider making that as a gift. We can work out a trust agreement to make things easier for you.” Now the asking had been done! Drayson looked at his wife. Grace nodded her head. Together they would be willing to consider the request. “We like it,” he said. “We just need some time to think a little.” “By all means,” Prior replied. “It’s a big decision. Someday none of us will be here, but the Drayson Center will still be here.” Everyone needed it—students, faculty and community. Prior knew that service to the community was close to Dr. Drayson’s heart. Just one week later, the Draysons called Prior to say that they were ready to work out the details. On Feb. 11, 1992, the Board voted to name the Recreation and Wellness Center in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Drayson, subject to their funding of an irrevocable charitable remainder trust in favor of Loma Linda University. Thereafter, the “Drayson Center” became the official title of what would become a sensational recreational facility. Near the end of the year, the estimated costs of construction for the Drayson Center had reached $16,275,000. The University held groundbreaking ceremonies on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1992 at 11:30 a.m. Earth movers imported 75,000 cubic yards of dirt to raise the building site above projected flood levels. On Dec. 16, 1993, the Board learned that the contractor’s bid had been adjusted in order to be in line with funds available. By June 1993, construction costs dropped substantially under budget, due in part to a sluggish economy. By Oct. 1994, the budget for the world-class facility stood at $15,842,110. During a chapel service held at the end of the 1992 school year, University President B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, paid tribute to Norman J. Woods, PhD, immediate past president, and Gaines R. Partridge, EdD, recently retired Dean of Students. Both had played a vital role in the center’s early planning.