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Keystones - October 2001 |
| Building Construction: Challenges and Progress, Looking Ahead..., Money, Money, Money |
| Building Construction: Challenges and Progress |
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During August and September, the entire CCC building team focused on one area of the project-the space between the kitchen and new entry addition where the elevator and mechanical room will be located. Controlling water in and around the elevator shaft taxed the ingenuity of engineers, architects and contractors. The final, complex plan employs drain tile, duplex sump pumps, an oil filtration system, gravity and a waterproofing compound that chemically bonds to poured concrete to control spring water that may leach into the elevator shaft. The design also prevents water from following underground rock formations and undermining the concrete slab below the floor of the social hall. The existing sump pump in the mechanical room serves as a backup removal system for excess water traveling underground. Designing the mechanical room to contain the boiler, air-conditioning units and a complex system of pipes and duct work proved to be a challenge. A team of mechanical and structural engineers, architects, and electrical and plumbing subcontractors have drawn final plans to accommodate all of the equipment and to permit access for maintenance. Measurement discrepancies prompted another delay. The sanctuary is a foot shorter than indicated on the original blueprints. The 12-inch error meant revisions on the exterior stairwell windows near the new entry because the design dimensions no longer met county code. Fortunately, the contractor built the wall 14 inches wider than the original design specifications, and that enabled the architects to craft a solution that will retain the addition's aesthetics and, perhaps, save the church some money. The contractor lost 24 days to these and other problems. Workers are racing to enclose the east entry addition and get heat into the building before cold weather comes in November. In other developments:
Jackie Walters, co-chair, Building Design Committee |
| Looking Ahead... |
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As the first leaves of Autumn fall, the CCC Steering Committee is looking towards Spring. Yes, we are already planning our move back into our newly renovated building. So far our ideas have focused on a congregational celebration, a neighborhood party, a dedication ceremony and tours of our building for members of CCC and the community. More details and dates will be provided once we are closer to Spring and have a firm construction completion date. We would appreciate any ideas and suggestions you might have on how to celebrate this historic and exciting time in the life of CCC. Please contact Terry Strand or Trish Esposito if you would like to help or have ideas or suggestions to share with the Steering Committee. Thank you! Terry Strand and Trish Esposito, co-chairs, CCC Steering Committee |
| Money, Money, Money |
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For better or worse, the Board of Trustees worries about money. We know that is not the heart of our spiritual enterprise as part of the body of Christ. But it is a necessary concern, and our ongoing renovation has added new dimensions to the trustees' usual preoccupations. Here are some current facts about CCC's financial situation: |
| Keystones Campaign: This continues to be a wonder and source of joy. A total of $2,215,284 has now been pledged. That comes from 261 pledges representing 331 members and 52 friends of CCC. Of the amount pledged, a total of $1,439,982 had been contributed by mid-September, and $1,018,625 had been spent. The trustees, of course, would welcome another million or two in pledges and contributions-keep those cards and letters coming! |
| Member Loans: This, too, is remarkable. A total of $590,000 has been committed-18 two-year loans for $140,000; 17 five-year loans for $235,000; and 16 seven-year loans for $215,000. Of these commitments, 44 have been paid for $430,000. The remaining commitments will be fulfilled by early next year. Many thanks to Neville Platt for his excellent work in administering this program! |
| Renovation Payments: Although we have spent a total of $1,018,625 so far on the renovation, the amount we have paid to Henry Lewis Contractors has been about $450,000. The rest has been for architectural and engineering expenses, asbestos removal, oil tank removal, etc. Of course, our contract with Lewis is for $3.2 million, so eventually we will have to pay all of it and more (the rock and gushing water under our property are proving costly to our contingency fund). But so far we have been able to pay the ongoing costs of renovation entirely out of the Keystones fund. That will change in the next month or two and we will begin to draw, first, on the member loans and then on the loan from the UCC Cornerstone Fund. |
| Day Care: The trustees have concluded a preliminary agreement with the Silver Spring Child Care Center that will make it our major tenant in the renovated facility. Our attention now is shifting to finding a tenant for the building that serves as CCC's "wilderness offices"-9601 Colesville Road. |
| Operating Budget: The news here is more sobering. The congregation at the annual meeting in June approved a deficit budget for the current year, with anticipated income running $42,158 below budgeted expenditures of $521,434. Most of that deficit is due to the costs we are incurring by being out of our building, and about three-fourths of it can be covered by surpluses we have accumulated from past budgets. But the amount we anticipated from pledges so far has fallen short of what was projected in the deficit budget. While individual pledge amounts have risen significantly, the number of pledges has continued its years-long decline. The pledge shortfall totals about $20,000. So now we are facing a total unfunded deficit of about $30,000. |
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The trustees know we still face some challenging financial hurdles in the next couple of years, and we will continue to worry about our money problems. But the congregation also has the anticipation of moving back into our renovated structure and the opportunity to think about the kind of staff structure we need for our future ministries. Those issues make our future exciting and are ones that the trustees wholeheartedly welcome. Dave Ackerman, chair, Board of Trustees |
