The Flanders Pavilion

Pavilion viewed from Sue's Field
March 2006

What is the Flanders Pavilion?

The Flanders Pavilion is a 6,000 square foot post-free building we are using in place of "the tent" for dry and comfortable lectures, talks and demonstrations at the Stellafane Convention. Its 16-foot high ceiling and spacious 60 foot x 100 foot size makes it feel more roomy and spacious then the tent. With eight large doors, the building has easy access and once inside you will not feel confined or cramped. Our goal, as always, is to improve the convention experience for our attendees, and we believe this new facility has improved the quality of the convention immensely.

Extensive site preparation included re-grading the land, installing drainage pipes throughout and under the building, and adding a large quantity of special grade gravel to insure the site will stay dry and comfortable even in the most severe bad weather; this has been tested at convention and works perfectly!

The building is also providing much needed secure storage for our equipment and convention "stuff" during the remainder of the year. It sits well on the site and is an attractive addition to our property.

The Flanders Pavilion at the 2006 Stellafane Convention

Current Status

[April 2009] The Pavilion is a success! We first used it at the 2006 conventions, and every convention thereafter, and it is working well for us. While we are still making improvements to both the interior and surrounding grounds, the dream of the Pavilion has fulfilled it's promise - providing a large, unobstructed meeting space that is dry, comfortable and can be darkened when needed for presentations.

You may view the history and additional photos of of this new building on our Flanders Pavilion History Page.

How You Can Help

The Springfield Telescope Makers took a big risk in taking out a large mortgage to get the Pavilion built. We have additional expenses in order to complete the facility, as outlined above. We are counting on our friends and conventioneers to help us pay for this facility; everyone who attends convention will benefit from it.

Please consider making a donation to help us defray the cost of this building. We have several ways for you to donate, and any donation, big or small, will help us pay down our mortgage (see data at right).

• Any Amount: Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted, please contribute what you can. Every bit helps, and all of it goes directly to help pay off our mortgage and construction expenses.
• Larger Gifts: Special recognition is a available for larger gifts. Doors or Pillars will have commemorative plaques attached directly to them; other giving levels will have plaques attached to an inside wall:
  • Major Donors are recognized on our Pavilion Major Donors Page.
  • Have a Portal named after you for a donation of $10,000 or more.
  • Become a Pillar of the Stellafane community honored with the dedication of a main structural support in your name with the donation of $1,000.
  • Become a Founder and be acknowledged on an engraved plaque with the donation of $500.
  • Messier Club members will be acknowledged in a permanent display with the donation of $110.
  • Builders Club members will be acknowledged in a permanent display with the donation of $50.
• Pavers: One-foot square floor pavers provide an economical way to help our cause and at the same time provide permanent recognition of your support.
  • Engraved Pavers cost $50 each and an inscription of your choice will be custom molded into the paver.
  • Standard Pavers cost $25 each and your name will be placed on a commemorative plaque mounted inside the Flanders Pavilion.
• Monthly Donation Option: We are now offering a monthly donation option, if you would like to donate a small amount on a monthly basis. When your contribution total meets or exceeds one of the recognition levels, you will receive that recognition just like an all-at-once donation.

All of the above options to donate are on our Stellafane Donation Form.
Donate to the Flanders Pavilion Fund by mail or online using the Stellafane Donation Form: Donate Now

Thank you for supporting our Pavilion Fund and helping to make convention better for all conventioneers!

The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. are an all-volunteer, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of Internal Revenue Service regulations. Therefore, your entire tax-deductible gift will go towards expanses incurred in building and outfitting the Flanders Pavilion.