Building Fellowship and Faith Capital Campaign

One year ago on Palm Sunday we announced that we had met the “Challenge Pledge” for the capital campaign as we closed the official period of pledges.  It remains a great testimony to the generosity of our parish that so many were willing to extend their donations to make our plans a reality.  Now, one year late, I am pleased to post the floor plans for the proposed expansion.  The Construction Committee has been meeting since last fall re-evaluating our Master Plan and proposing new and renovated spaces to meet our needs.  The floor plans show a greatly improved parish facility and addresses several areas of concern:

▲  The “old church” will be completely dedicated to parish meeting space allowing for better meeting areas for groups as well as being entirely accessible during daytime hours

▲  A new cafeteria/kitchen will provide better dining facilities

▲  The Library is expanded and improved for student use

▲  A “Parish Library” is included for a spiritual and religious lending library for all parishioners

▲  The improved facility will benefit all the children in our educational programs (full-time as well as parish school of religion)

▲  The additional classrooms will provide more space for current educational methods

▲  All classrooms will be equipped with “Smart-board” technology and tied into the school’s network

▲  The classrooms are arranged by academic levels to facilitate movement of classes and interaction

▲  By placing the primary on the lower level, they will be closer to more of the “specialty” areas reducing the use of stairs during the day

▲  The Music, Art, Computer Lab and Spanish classrooms are improved

▲  Facilities for the School Nurse, Counselor, and Learning Consultant are all improved

▲  Faculty workrooms on each floor will assist the teachers in curriculum preparation

▲  Once the construction is completed, we retain a comparable number or parking spaces as currently on the campus

▲  A number of safety issues are improved:  A “ring road” around the building makes is more accessible for emergency vehicles; a fire-suppression system in the kitchen; enhanced sensors for fire detection

 

An additional project will be the church gathering area, or narthex.  If the bids on the larger project come in as hoped, we intend to also add a gathering area and adoration chapel onto the east side of the church.  This project is considered an “alternate” project and will be included in the bidding process.  The narthex will increase the area for parishioners to gather before and after Masses.  Separated from the church by the current vestibule, we hope to reduce the sound that carries into the church to allow for a quieter area for prayer before and after Mass.  Additionally, an adoration chapel will be constructed which will accommodate more people and place the chapel in a more accessible location. 

The intention is to put this out for bid on May 1 (the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker). Bids will be reviewed early in June and we hope to begin the demolition of the west wing of the current building by mid-summer.  If all goes as hoped, we look to the new building being completed in the summer of 2011. 

All this being said, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the Construction Committee for their time and dedication.  Representatives from the Archdiocese as well as our architect have commented on the scope of knowledge the committee has brought to this project and complimented them for their insights and commitment.  They have been an asset to us all.  Thanks to:

Greg Bengard, Mike Aimerito, Carlo Bruno, Kevin Griesemer, Tim Gunn, Jeff Hampton, Mike Hogan, Al Litteken, Ann Schmelzle, and Steve Sieckhaus.