As the result of extensive research and study by the Finance Committee, Parish Council, Building Committee, and the strong response to this past Spring's Feasibility Study, we have undertaken "Saving Our Parish Community Center - A Gift from Our Past…A Legacy for Our Future." The campaign began on Monday, September 21 and is scheduled to conclude a few weeks after Thanksgiving.
The total cost to address the most immediate needs
of the Parish Community Center is approximately $3,300,000.
To achieve this total, we will use $500,000 from our savings
and raise $2,800,000 in this campaign. Having an up-to-date,
fully functioning Parish Community Center would allow us to host
the celebrations and receptions that are such an integral part
of our parish life - and do so in a setting truly befitting the
St. Bart's family (we expect to begin the repairs in the summer
of 2010, with their expected completion approximately one year
later). Specifically, the most urgent needs include the following:
- Repair & replace the exit balconies and structure below
- Replace the exterior windows & doors - many are rotting and leaking
- Reconfigure and upgrade the restrooms - several of the toilets no longer work
- Seismically upgrade the Center - the north extension is not earthquake safe
- Provide the necessary space and infrastructure for a new Kitchen
- Upgrade the entry walkways outside the Parish Hall - there is serious vertical dry rot and this has been leaking for years. In addition, the front walkway is uneven and a hazard
- Repave the parking lots
In addition, we will undertake the following if the funds are available after the above projects have been addressed. The additional cost to address these needs is estimated to be approximately $1 million.
- Create a balcony on the south side of the Parish Center, with windows overlooking the Church
- The lower floor hallway will be made at one level, with an elevator to enable wheelchair access to the upper level
- Complete the new Kitchen, to provide for Sacramental and other celebrations, receptions, etc.
The campaign is being Co-chaired by Mary Kircher,
Joe Pert, Bill Regan, and Jim Shannon. They are coordinating
the efforts of a Leadership Committee consisting of nearly twenty-five
members of our worship family.
If we are indeed going to reach our goal, we need the support of the entire St. Bart's family. Accordingly, our objective is to give every member of our parish community the opportunity to participate. We are aware, of course, that everyone has different financial resources, so our campaign is based on equal sacrifices, not equal gifts (every gift, regardless of size, is gratefully appreciated and will be acknowledged, and gifts may be paid over a five-year period).
Your prayers for the success of "Saving Our Parish Community Center - A Gift from Our Past…A Legacy for Our Future" are greatly appreciated. How well we will be able to serve the current and future needs of our worship community depends on all of us at this time. When you are contacted by a campaign volunteer - a fellow member of St. Bartholomew's - and asked to consider your own gift, please think about what St. Bart's means to you. We hope that you will graciously welcome these ambassadors of St. Bart's, as they will be asking every member of our parish family to respond to this challenge.
More Information about the Campaign:
Frequently Asked Questions and List Current of Building Uses
Bulletin Inserts: Issue 1 * Issue 2 * Issue 3 * Issue 4 * Issue 5 * Issue 6 * Issue 7 * Issue 8 * Issue 9 * Issue 10 * Issue 11 * Issue 12