Construction -- Full Speed Ahead!
The dream of our own church building is becoming reality...

On Monday, September 24, our Directors and Trustees made final selection of a general contractor and gave the green light for work on our new building to proceed!  Renovations are expected to take 12 to 16 weeks.  If all goes well, we could (emphasis on could) be in our new building by Christmas! (Ed. note:  We now expect to move in mid- to late-January.)

After purchasing the building in July, a volunteer crew of about 40 people from our congregation worked intensively for several weeks to remove the walls, floors, and ceilings in the area of the building that will become our sanctuary and social hall. Once that work was completed, the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems of the building were fully exposed, allowing our architect to complete renovation drawings. We then put the drawings out for bid to four general contractors.

After receiving bids in early September, the Directors and Trustees spent several weeks reviewing the details, seeking clarifications, and negotiating with the two lowest bidders.  Although we are all very anxious to get into our new building, the time the Directors and Trustees devoted to the negotiation reduced the construction price by about $25,000.

Even with these savings, however, the numbers were still too high — around $305,000, whereas our current resources tap out around $240,000. To bring the budget into balance, the Directors and Trustees identified several aspects of the renovation that we can do ourselves.  For example, by painting and staining, we can save $10,500.  By installing the kitchen cabinets, sinks, and appliances ourselves, we can save another $5,000.

We also identified several parts of the project that can be deferred.  For example, deferring finish work on the large meeting room behind the sanctuary will save $12,100. Deferring finish flooring in the kitchen and social hall (leaving the concrete temporarily exposed instead of covering it with tile) will save another $7,800.

With all these savings taken together, the renovation budget roughly matches our resources.  At a forum held on Sunday, September 23, our congregation indicated its unanimous support for these changes.

But there was one more shoe to drop. Our Directors and Trustees decided to invite the state inspector to tour our project before construction began, to ensure we encounter no costly surprises midway through construction.  Better safe than sorry! The inspector had two surprises for us. First, he will require us to fireproof the area below the raised floor that runs through part of the building — projected cost $1,500. He will also require us to renovate the main bathrooms to add several toilets and make them handicap accessible.

We are absolutely committed to providing for handicap access.  To accomplish this, we had planned to create a single-seat, unisex handicap restroom. But the inspector insists that will not do.  The main restrooms themselves must be altered. The projected additional cost for expanding the restrooms is about $3,000. Thus, over the next 30 to 45 days, we will need to raise about $5,000 more than we now have to alter the restrooms and fireproof the floor.  Any funds raised beyond this will be used to restore some of the items we have deferred and to purchase necessary furnishings.  Of course, construction is a fluid process — so we all must remain flexible!

If you did not have the opportunity to participate in the Great Pioneer Campaign, but would now be able to help us fund these remaining items, we would be deeply grateful. When you make a contribution, simply mark your check or envelope "Final Push," and we will know to put your contribution in the building fund.

In the meantime, construction is underway! Periodic tours for the congregation will be scheduled. Soon the dream of our own building will be realized.