Unveiling the New Belt Hall!
Published on September 26, 2024
We are excited to share that the Rundle College 7-12 Great Hall transformation was officially completed today (September 26), with the unveiling of a new name: Belt Hall! Belt Hall is named in honour of educator and Rundle College senior high principal Mrs. Allison Belt for her 30-plus years of service to Rundle.
The name was chosen by the anonymous community donor who contributed $500,000 to the renovation of the Great Hall, to recognize the impact Allison had on their family and on the lives of thousands of Rundle students and alumni.
“It’s very humbling,” says Allison, who has been at Rundle since 1992. “I want to thank this donor for entrusting Rundle with their child’s or children’s education journey. There are many people who played a role – I only had a small part to play. … As long as I’ve been here, everything I’ve strived to do has been to honour the original mission of [founders] Dr. Conklin and Dr. Collett. When people see the name Belt Hall, I want them to think of it more as a continued commitment to our founders’ fundamental vision for Rundle.”
Today’s event was the last step of the top-to-bottom renovation of the Great Hall, which was only made possible thanks to the generosity of the Rundle community. The capital campaign began last fall as part of the Annual Fund, and the anonymous donor’s $500,000 matching challenge helped inspire the school community to surpass the fundraising goal.
Through the summer months, the space was gutted and renovated, with new flooring, lighting, and beautiful new millwork. Most importantly, the space was redesigned with low-distraction learning and socializing spaces, and flexible furniture. It also integrates innovation and technology designed to cater to the needs of different learning styles.
As the 2024-25 school year began in late August, and students returned to campus, it was apparent to all that the renovation was nothing short of remarkable.
For the last few weeks, as students settled their daily routines, it has been wonderful watching them engage with one another in the new Belt Hall – taking advantage of the new features, seating areas, nooks, and crannies to socialize and build community.
“It made the start of the year extra special for us getting to see our students engaged in this space that we had been dreaming of for so long,” says Anna Miller, College junior high principal.
This is the first capital project in Rundle’s history to be fully funded by community giving. It is a significant milestone as we continue to build a culture of giving and it is a testament to the power of collective impact.
“It’s a remarkable achievement and it goes to show that our community recognizes the importance of fostering welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant spaces for our students,” says Head of School Dr. Jason Rogers. “Thank you to all of our donors for your investment not just in the school but in the future of our community.”
“By investing in the school’s infrastructure, we ensure that future generations of students can enjoy the same transformative experience that my family did,” adds Glen Gray, an alumni parent and a donor to the Great Hall project. “I am confident that my donation will positively impact the lives of students and their families for years to come.”
Belt Hall serves as inspiration for future transformational growth at Rundle and we look forward to bringing our community together in the space that truly reflects the commitment and excellence of our programs and our faculty and staff.