The Advocate and Democrat – News Story

SWEETWATER- it appears the former Tennessee Meiji Gakuin campus will no longer sit idle.

The Japanese owners are reportedly in the process of donating the 144-acre campus and buildings to a non-profit organization called Sweet Water Sustainability Institute.

"It is in the closing process," said Tricia Baehr, a board member for SWSI.

Baehr said the group would be issuing a statement soon on the transaction. She said she hopes the community will be well pleased with plans for the property that has sat idle except for the fitness center and few remaining staff members for more than three years. 

The last class graduated from the former Japanese High School in March 2007.

For now Baehr said SWSI is limiting its comments on the takeover of the campus out of respect for the Japanese owners until all the paperwork is taken care of.

The company's business concept from that proposal states:

"Sweet Water Sustainability Institute will be a multi-functional educational non-profit institution available to all ages from children to elders concentrating on health, wellness, creative expression, agriculture, sustainable living practices encompassing all aspects of the mind, body and spirit. We support the cultivation of ecological sustainability with the practices of: organic farming and gardening, permaculture, alternative and appropriate energy technologies including solar and wind power, composting systems, green building, and locally sourced hand crafts. as a truly sustainable community, we will support the health and quality of life of present and future generations. We recognize the need for fairness, and for physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural, and spiritual sustenance.

The property of the non-profit campus includes 144 acres of land, 14 buildings including two gymnasiums, fitness center, indoor Olympic size pool, recreation center with snack bar, multiple classrooms, administrative offices, three dormitory buildings with over 100 rooms, eight apartments, science lab, 250 seat cafeteria,1/4 mile track, baseball field and a stable."

The proposal lists a pricing chart for people who take sessions and both short and extended stays on campus.

However, some city officials and others are expressing disappointment in the Japanese owner's decision to trans­fer the property to SWSI instead of selling it to Aeroflex for $500,000

Sweetwater Mayor Doyle Lowe said city leaders thought as late as last Thursday Aeroflex was on its way to buying the property.

"I was delighted," the mayor said of Aeroflex's plans for the property.

Both the mayor and Areoflex USA President Jerry Sentell said the company's plans for the property were basically geared toward allowing the city and community to use the recreation and other facilities on the grounds.

Sentell told The Advocate & Democrat Aeroflex knew the city could not afford the property, but Dr. Pawat, chairman of the international group of companies that includes Aeroflex, wanted to do something for Sweetwater.

He said part of the property might have been used for the group's business endeavors, however the main goal was giving back to the community. "We thought we could help the city," Sentell said.

Sentell said he was sorry things did not work out the way the city and Aeroflex had hoped, but he said things may still work out well for the community in the end.

But some longtime TMG officials feel left out of the process for the disposal of the property.

Barry Mathews, head of security for TMG, said he and Helen Hagood, the longtime general manager and corporate secretary for property, were "left in the dark" as the transfer process played out.

Mathews said in addition to Aeroflex, a group for homeless veterans, had expressed interest in the property.

But a Friday morning e-mail from Satoru Kuze, the Chancellor of Meiji Gakuin and president of TMG, instructed Hagood to do what was necessary for SWSI to get the property, according to the e-mails obtained by The Advocate & Democrat.

Mathews said he is worried the remaining staff will be let go without severance packages and said that the fitness center is already closing.

Mathews said he fears SWSI will sell off some of the land and that SWSI has been disingenuous about their plans for TMG.

"We know nothing about them," he said. "They have been extremely rude to each one of us."

Baehr said Tuesday a lot of the group's leadership is from East Tennessee.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101

The Advocate and Democrat - News Story