A large multi-functional building known as the Blades Training Center anchors the 31-acre site the Baptist State Convention may purchase.

The potential purchase of a new conference facility was discussed by the Executive Committee on March 21, and goes to the General Board for a vote May 23. The General Board will meet at the Hickory facility.

BSC officials and Duke Energy wanted to keep the identity of the location and the seller under wraps until the option was formalized, and the Biblical Recorder agreed to not publish the information. Officials declined to release the purchase price prior to notification of General Board members, other than to say it is below market value for the property.

The Executive Committee approved a motion to pursue the property and forwarded it to the Convention's Facilities Review Committee and the Business Affairs Committee. Those committees met March 28, authorizing Convention officials to enter a contractual option to purchase the property from Duke Energy (formerly Duke Power Company), contingent on further legal investigations and General Board approval.

The center is on the south shore of Lake Hickory, about one mile west of Highway 16 between Conover and Taylorsville. It was carved from farmland bought by Duke Energy for the construction of Lake Hickory, and sits on a peninsula.

Duke Energy officials used an existing house on the property as a private off-campus meeting place for some years before developing the site as the Lake Hickory Leadership Center. Duke Energy now has a newer and larger corporate training center in Charlotte.

The Hickory facility includes a training center, dining hall, and sleeping space for up to 80. Most guest rooms are located in two hotel-type buildings and in cottages scattered around the peninsula's perimeter.

The offered price covers all furnishings and equipment, including a state-of-the-art telephone system, multi-media teaching aids, recreation facilities and maintenance equipment.

BSC Executive Director-treasurer Jim Royston told the Executive Committee that the center is within 100 miles of nearly two-thirds of all N.C. Baptists affiliated with the BSC. He and other Convention officials have outlined a vision of using the facility as a high-tech leadership training center focused on preparing N.C. Baptists for ministry challenges in the 21st century.