Revised Centennial Renovation Project - August 14, 2011

This is our 100^thAnniversary.  While we are celebrating our heritage and the 100^thanniversary of the founding of the church which has become Southern Heights, we also need to be planning for the next 100 years.

On May 15 the Centennial Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee hosted a Townhall Meeting for the purpose of exploring the possibility of renovating our current building and grounds to maximize their effectiveness for future mission and ministry.

At that meeting the congregation expressed a number of concerns.  The Centennial Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee took all of this feedback seriously and is now ready to respond to each of the concerns.  The committee’s response is in italics.

• Appreciation for the kitchenette in the basement.  We are exploring the possibility of making the kitchenette into a full kitchen including a stove along with the proposed microwave, sink, cabinets, countertop and refrigerator.

• The need to make the basement more inviting and attractive for children, particularly the need for increased lighting.  We have looked into the possibility of making the basement a full walk out but the cost would be prohibitive ($50,000+).  We have looked into the possibility of installing windows on the south wall; one 18”x 4’ window would cost $5,000.  If we ever put up “real” walls, only the rooms on the south would have any daylight; the rest of the basement would remain as it is.  We are recommending that we nearly double the luminescence in the basement from the current 30 candlefeet to 56 candlefeet with the possibility of using full-spectrum lights which are more like sunlight than the traditional florescent bulbs.

• The need for more comfortable seating in the West Wing (former cry room).  We are recommending that the couch and chairs currently in the “youth” area of the basement be moved to the West Wing.  This space would be more inviting as a cry room as well as providing seating for the youth Sunday School class, small meetings, etc.

• Concern over the cost and need for switching the upstairs restrooms if they won’t become handicapped accessible.  We are recommending that the “bride’s room” be located in the choir room in the basement.  This would allow easy and private access to the restroom and make switching the restrooms upstairs unnecessary.

• The need for increased storage.  We are recommending that the store hall where the choir music is currently stored remain in place.  The storage hall will help accommodate the need for additional storage of church records, a new and safer stairway into the attic, the quilter’s closet, etc.  This would also make any renovation of the current pantries unnecessary.  We would also enclose the current hallway between the “parlor” and the office area for storage of tables, chairs, etc.

• The purpose of the elevator.  The church had set aside funds for installing an elevator many years ago.  An elevator will make the basement more easily accessible.  This is particularly important for our choir members and smaller children.

• The need to do remodeling versus the need for maintenance.  Some major maintenance projects will face the congregation in the next few years.  The most pressing is the need to replace our heating and air conditioning system which will cost approximately $170,000.  The Session approved, beginning in 2012, that the church include a capital replacement line item in the budget of $17,000 for the next 10 years.  Since the heating and air conditioning system can be replaced in stages, this should allow us to build up a reserve specifically for this purpose.

• The need for increased mission giving.  The leadership of the congregation is aware that mission needs to be a higher priority for the church.  But the issue isn’t simply giving more mission dollars.  It should also include more members of the congregation being involved in doing mission.  Therefore the session has challenged every group in the church to participate in a mission project this year.  However, because mission is one of the foundational purposes of the church, we are recommending that the church tithe 10% of the funds raised for the renovation project to mission.  The possibility also exists for using some or all of the funds raised for the “options” to increase our mission giving.

• The need to prioritize the proposed projects, particularly the family pews, the columbarium, additional mission and increased contingency.  We recognize that we don’t have all of the answers regarding the future of our church.  The congregation needs to have a greater voice in determining how we can most effectively use our building for future mission and ministry.  Therefore, we have included these items on a list of “options” as a way for the congregation to continue to give us feedback regarding the project.  The session will consider this feedback and decide which option(s) will be included in the final plan.

• The need for family pews.  While several families with small children have requested these, we are recommending that they be made an option which will allow the congregation to decide whether or not they want these built in the sanctuary.

• The need for policies and long-term maintenance if a columbarium is built.  The renovation includes building a Memorial Garden as a small outdoor gathering space and place for meditation.  The installation of a columbarium is an “optional project” so the congregation can determine if they want it installed now or wait until enough spaces have been sold to pay for the purchase, installation, and long-term upkeep of a columbarium.  If and/or when a columbarium is installed we will develop policies for its use, long-term up-keep and disposition should our church ever move, merge, or otherwise cease to be.  We are also including an option to install a Memorial Wall on which loved ones could place a plaque in memory of those who are interred elsewhere allowing them to be remembered here.

We think we have addressed all of the major concerns raised by the congregation.  Therefore we requested and the Session agreed to call a congregational meeting for August 14, immediately following the worship service to discuss and act on the following motion:  That SHPC, as part of our centennial celebration undertake a facility renovation and mission project spending approximately $190,000.  Funds to pay for the renovation will come from approximately $40,000 from the elevator fund, $4,000 from the memorial fund, $56,000 from the building fund, and a $100,000 3-year Building for the Future campaign.

Centennial Renovation Proposal Finances

*All numbers are appoximate and subject to change.

“Building for the Future” Campaign

• 67 giving units in the church
• An average pledge of $1,500 pledge per giving unit = $100,500
  • $500/year for 3 years
  • <$42/month for 3 years
  • <10/week (2 Big Mac meals per week)

The original plans for the project may be seen on the web site:  http://southernheights.org