A 10-year lease agreement between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Foundation was approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents today.
The facility will provide UNMC with a quality meeting facility will be considered. The facility is home to the Omaha Woman’s Club at 518 S. 38th St. Under a proposed agreement, the Omaha Woman’s Club will donate its home to the University of Nebraska Foundation, which will lease it to UNMC for $1 annually. The arrangement will call for UNMC to use the home for receptions, conferences and meetings while the club continues to use the home for its functions.
“This gift to the foundation will allow UNMC the use of a facility with the elegance and class of character of an English country home for receptions and other special events,” said Keith Swarts, director, UNMC business services. The residence has been home to the woman’s club since 1964. But, because members are getting older and the responsibility for the house is greater, the club began looking for ways to keep the home and club viable.
Founded in 1893, the Omaha Woman’s Club has focused on women’s education, societal reform and community philanthropy in the Omaha area. At its prime in the 1920s, the club had 900 members. The University of Nebraska Foundation should be a perfect fit for both the club and the university, said Amy Volk, associate director of development, University of Nebraska Foundation. “This partnership provides the club members continued use of the home while giving a wonderful gift to the university. It’s a win-win situation for both of us.”
The UNMC lease agreement will become effective after the terms of the gift agreement is signed between the foundation and the club. UNMC will assume general operating expenses of the facility, including all operation and maintenance costs and installation of a central air conditioning system and other improvements.