The Moton Center in Cappahosic is bustling with activity these days.

Workmen are renovating the two-story conference building, removing and replacing concrete around the swimming pool, and anticipating renovations to a two-story dormitory building.

Rooms in a single-story building have already been upgraded to serve as living quarters for a facility manager and a motel for other key personnel, and they are temporarily being used as dorm rooms for students participating in the Emerging Leaders program. The program helps minority students with professional development by fostering speaking, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Clarence "C.J." Sailor, director of programs for the Gloucester Institute, which owns and operates the facility, said future renovations, funds permitting, will include upgrading a small cottage for use as a guest house for writers and turning a sixth building into a laundry and storage facility.

The renovated conference center is the vision of the Glou...