Elon University announced the purchase of the Synder Campus of Elon Homes and Schools for Children adjacent to the university June 1. The 20-acre property currently houses the Elon School, an independent high school in the Town of Elon, and will change ownership at the end of August.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the institution, and it gives us all needed additional space and flexibility," said Gerry Francis, executive vice president of Elon University.

The property contains five buildings, including a large central facility used for The Elon School, a residential building, gymnasium, two additional classroom and office buildings and a soccer field.

The university has yet to determine a use for the land.

"I think if you went to any of the deans at the institution, they would all find a use for the property," Francis said.

Elon senior staff and the deans will discuss and determine the best option for the land, he said. Anyone who has ideas for the land can submit suggestions to the provost and the president's office.

In the past, the university has purchased portions of the Elon Homes and Schools for Children property. According to Francis, when the university purchased the 70-acres, there was a question if Elon would find a use for the land. Nevertheless, the transaction in 2003 provided the space for the development of South Campus, which includes the Phoenix Club Sports Fields and the driving range.

Johnston Hall, Elon's Alumni Center and the Office of University Advancement, Truitt Hall and Holt Chapel, all located on South Campus, formerly belonged to Elon Homes and Schools for Children, as well. The most recent purchase continues the relationship between the two institutions.

"Any time you can buy 20 acres of land that is continuous with your current campus, you're going to be in the market for purchasing," Francis said.

The facility originated as a Christian orphanage in 1907, but after a piece of legislature mandated children only be placed in orphanages in their respective county, the number of children the Elon orphanage could serve diminished, prompting the Elon Homes and Schools for Children to examine other functions for the building.

Earlier in the year economic struggles motivated Fred Grosse, president of the Elon Homes and Schools for Children to consider leasing the Elon campus' facilities, Grosse said in a previous interview with The Pendulum.

Although the university had an interest in the land contiguous with the intramural playing fields, it had no intention of leasing the facility from the organization, according to Francis.

Francis considered the lease a poor investment, and the Elon Homes and Schools for Children ultimately decided to sell the property, he said.

The Elon Homes and Schools for Children operated the Elon School since 2007, but the school will change ownership when the senior class graduates in June. A local parent group will inherit the school and move to Blessed Sacrament School on Davis Street in Burlington, according to Francis.

This story has bee updated to include more recent interviews with Gerry Francis, executive vice president of Elon University.