BURLINGTON, Vt.  (Nov. 4, 2008) - Champlain College announced today it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to purchase the Ethan Allen Club located at 298 College St. The building and location, identified in Champlain's recent master plan, represents an opportunity for Champlain to develop apartment-style housing units for its students, according to officials at Champlain College.

Champlain College President Dave Finney explained the decision, "This property represents a big step towards the College taking responsibility for all of our undergraduate students in Burlington. We currently have more than 1,000 students living in apartments in Burlington neighborhoods and our goal is to house all of them in Champlain housing by 2016."

"This cannot be accomplished within Champlain's existing core campus, and the Ethan Allen Club (EAC) property represents a close and viable solution that is already zoned for high density residential use. It will help fulfill the College's vision. 

David Provost, senior vice president of Champlain College, noted that "During the next 30 days we will be working hard on our due diligence and hope to meet the closing date set at Dec. 15." The purchase price of the property was not disclosed.

"The agreement will allow the Ethan Allen Club membership to remain at the site for two years and give Champlain time to design a project that satisfies the city and the College," he added.

Tom Little, vice president of the Ethan Allen Club, said the decision to sell the facility has been several years in the making as the number of dues-paying members declined over the years. In the early 1980s the EAC had some 400 members -- it now has about 125, Little noted. He is a local attorney from Shelburne and has been a member for 23 years. 

"This is a great opportunity for the club to raise some capital and find a better fit for the membership's needs. We are committed to finding a replacement and we have up to two years to find the right place," Little said. "This gives all of us time for a long goodbye."

Champlain plans to begin the permit process for the project sometime next summer, and that will allow ample time to gain community feedback on the project.  Champlain hopes to break ground on the project in the spring of 2011. 

The Ethan Allen Club, a non-profit organization, originated on April 24, 1857 as the Ethan Allen Fire Engine Co., No. 4 to provide fire protection and to promote social interaction and mutual improvement of its members. The volunteers were replaced by a paid fire department on April 1, 1895.

According to the Club's website, it was officially named Ethan Allen Club in a Charter Amendment of the Legislature Nov. 11, 1896. On Sept. 1, 1905, the residence of John Henry Peck, built in 1834 at 298 College Street, was purchased as a Club House for $30,000 including contents. An addition was immediately built to provide for a banquet hall, pool and billiards, and a bowling alley in the basement, at a cost of $13,164.

Ironically, the original Ethan Allen Club House was destroyed by a fire in the early morning hours of Dec. 5, 1971. Following many meetings of the Governing Board, the Design-Review Committee and the General Membership, a contemporary design for a new building was agreed upon at a special club meeting in May 1972. Construction started immediately and was completed in October of that year at a total cost of approximately $500,000, including equipment, materials and decorations.

The Ethan Allen Club started out as a "men-only" club but changed its by-laws to admit women in 1990. Since then many women have joined the Ethan Allen Club and enjoy all of the benefits the club has to offer, according to the club's website.

Champlain College, a private baccalaureate institution, was founded in 1878. Located in Burlington, Champlain College is a national leader in educating students to become skilled practitioners, effective professionals and global citizens. It was ranked 12^th in the top tier of Best Comprehensive Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges 2009.  Champlain has approximately 2,000 students, representing 32 states and 17 countries. It has study abroad programs that include campuses in Montreal, Quebec and a newly opened campus in Dublin, Ireland.

For more information, visit www.champlain.edu