Good Shepherd - Building Committee November 2007

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Building Update

November 2007


New view of our cross	Demolition nearly finished	A welder works to remove metals

Day-By-Day Updates (scroll down for more photos and the Building Committee's monthly update)

Friday, November 30, 2007: Excavation is within three feet of the desired depth to begin the work on the foundation of our new facility, the old offices now have debris removed, flooring has been removed to allow space for pipe work, and the new entrance has been cut. The new entrance walls/doors continue to show progress.

Thursday, November 15, 2007: Work continues as the excavation moves along. Daily empty dump trucks back up to our site to haul away the unneeded dirt. Meanwhile, indoors workers continue to clear debris to begin building the new bathrooms. A new bathroom door arch has been cut in the cinder block wall which will become the entrance to the bathroom area.

Friday, November 9, 2007: It is amazing how quickly time passes when there is so much activity. Here we are into the middle of the month and much progress has been made. The demolition phase is complete and the excavation phase has begun for the lower level of the new facility. The old office space is beginning to be transformed as construction works toward installing the two large bathrooms. Loan documents have been signed and our construction project is in full swing.

November Update

Demolition officially began on Friday, October 26 with Pastor Dave striking the ceremonial first blow! I was very impressed with how efficient the demo crew worked. Large dumpsters were being filled and hulled away. Metal was separated from the construction debris. Trees and shrubs were ground to mulch. So much activity in such a restricted area, executed in a safe and professional manner. More demolition on Saturday, October 27. Our builder, Total Construction Services (TCS), is trying to stay ahead of the approaching winter weather.

In the next 2-4 months, major changes will occur at the S. Westland end of our property. Excavation will immediately follow demolition. The foundation for the new octagon building will be poured and the concrete basement walls will be built. Next, the laminated arches for our new sanctuary will be erected and we all will begin to see more clearly what our new worship space will look like. Expect an exciting few months.

Meanwhile, back in the building we continue to call our church home:
Prior to demolition, a saw cut was made to separate the part to be demoed from the part to be saved (a familiar word to the GS family). Walls were erected in the back of the sanctuary and the corridor. All utilities were disconnected from the demo part. Our office area has been completed gutted in preparation for the new desperately needed bathrooms. In the next few weeks, we expect that the bathroom doorway will be cut in the sanctuary hallway and a drain line will be installed between the bathrooms and the sacristy area. Our contractor guarantees that the sanctuary hallway will be cleared and presentable for Sunday worship.

A storm water management trench (swimming pool size hole) was dug in the playground area, the storm water management system installed, and the area backfilled with soil. After a few finishing details, the area will be fenced and existing and new playground equipment will be installed. The play area is an important part of our preschool program and a high priority has been placed on re-establishing our playground. The three parking spaces currently used for the temporary playground will again be available.

So where is Good Shepherd in our building project? On the one hand, there is disruption and inconvenience. On the other hand, there is anticipation and excitement. But are not these themes expressed in many of the biblical stories? By working together we can and will build a first-rate ministry facility!


Sign on the construction trailer.	Bright skies after a rain storm.	The excavator machine rests

Loan documents are signed	Demolition is completed	Excavation on the lower level begins

The old offices become new bathrooms. Here a new entrance is cut.	The inside of the old office door.	Inside the old office looking toward the Fireside Room.

Last Updated: 04/11/08 08:02 AM