imagining our future
May 2009 | Imagine Campaign Update
Timeline of Events
- January 2008 - Charge Conference – approval given to Trustees to form a Building Committee
- May 20, 2008 - 1st Church Conference – vote approved moving forward with Design Development
- Fall 2008 - Imagine Capital Campaign – total pledges $3,323,261
- December 2008 - Pledges started coming in
- March 4, 2009 - Q & A held to answer questions related to Church Conference Motion
- March 10, 2009 - 2nd Church Conference (see motion approved above)
- June 7, 2009 - Service of Celebration for the Music Suite
- July/August 2009 - Demolition of the Music Suite
- August 2009 - 3rd Church Conference to present a financial budget and proposed construction schedule.
February 2009: Given the current economic climate and the total amount of Imagine commitments, it was determined by the Building Committee that the best decision was the construction of one building–Phase I. (Note: The Student Life Building and Gymnasium will be Phase II of the Imagine Campaign.) There are several outstanding advantages to additional classroom space rather than a gym at this time. These include:
- Maintaining the PARC and student activities in their current facilities
- Sunday school for mid-high and high school can be held in the new building, insuring that everyone is on the same side of Eldridge on Sunday morning
- Updated and attractive facilities for childcare during the worship hours
- Additional nursery space for the daily activities • Cost efficient night usage of the facilities
- A permanent music rehearsal space next to the Sanctuary
- Additional rooms for music and worship needs • Improved security for the children
- An improved, attractive multi-use room in the current Chapel
- An inviting courtyard
- A connecting “Mainstreet” hallway, linking Children, Student, and Music Ministries with the entire campus
- The Huff Community Garden and the Scout program will not need to relocate
March 2009: The Building Committee is authorized by the Church Conference to spend up to, but not exceeding, $300,000 for the completion of architectural plans and building permit; demolition of the Music Suite, to include site improvement; and stained glass removal and restoration. Rationale includes:
- Given current economic climate, it was determined that progress should be made with prudence and caution
- If we delay the architects from finishing the construction documents, we will incur additional costs and delay the
anticipated construction start of August/September 2009
- Demolition of the Music Suite will allow us to improve the grounds, remove the stained glass for restoration and
demonstrate that work is proceeding
- When construction documents are complete in June or July, we will look at the financial health of the church
(operating budget and Imagine campaign giving) to determine how best to move forward
- Another Church Conference will be required to present a financial budget and proposed construction schedule
Imagine Campaign Financials as of April 30, 2009:
Imagine Pledges: $3,387,261
Collected: $940,450
Expenses: $405,239 (Capital Campaign expenses, Architectural Services, Property Surveys and Asbestos Surveys)
Cash on Hand: $535,211