Building and Grounds

...seeking to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known...

WEEK AT A GLANCE Calendar GOOD NEWS Bulletin Board Small Groups Woodlands Presbyterian Music Ministry Woodlands Presbyterian Men Woodlands Presbyterian Women Stephen Ministry Education Library Staff Membership New Members NEW CHURCH October 7, 2001 NEW FELLOWSHIP HALL, Aug. 31, 2008 SPECIAL SERVICES at WPC EMAIL A HOSPITAL PATIENT Links

Ministries > Building and Grounds

As you walk around the original building you can see the modifications to the Choir Practice room and General Storage room and the additional bookshelves in the Parlor/Library. What you can’t see are the modifications to the Sanctuary heating/cooling system that were implemented to reduce the noise level caused by these units. In addition these units are now used to also heat and cool the Narthex. In the past the Office unit was used “part time” to accomplish this function.

Because we have been using this building for 7 years (can you believe that!), we thought it would be a good time to do a thorough cleaning of the vinyl tile floors and carpeting. We had a professional floor service company strip and wax all the floors except in the Choir Loft, which was in good shape. They also “steam cleaned” all the carpets, including the Sanctuary. We still need to do some “spot” cleaning of the Narthex carpeting which had the most use from our after Worship Service Fellowship, and other functions involving food. The Narthex has served us well.

Our plans for the future will include the maintenance of the tile floors on a quarterly basis, by the same company, including the Fellowship Hall. This is in addition to the routine weekly cleaning of both buildings done by our Contract Service people. They have been cleaning the Fellowship Hall, including the restrooms, while we have been determining (and cleaning) what needs to be done (and when) in the kitchen.

We have also been making improvements to the Grounds, under the direction of John Williamson. They have been doing things to improve the “looks” and reduce both maintenance and cost. Several sprinkler heads have been replaced which has improved the watering efficiency. With close monitoring of the timing and amount of rainfall, and watering accordingly, we will only use 30% of last years sprinkler water usage. John has been working diligently to prepare the remainder of the planting area, adjacent to the office, for additional plants.

Lewis Stivitts

ADDENDUM TO THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT FELLOWSHIP HALL BUILDING PROJECT

The majority of the building of Fellowship Hall was done during 2008.

Originally, our plans called for construction to begin mid-year of 2007. The feasibility study had been presented to Session and the Congregation with approval to initiate the building of Phase II of the Master Plan developed in the year 2000. However, since 2000, there were many building code changes which we had to confront before we could gain approval from the Architectural Control Committee of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association. The code changes were of such magnitude we were forced to rethink our original plan for Phase II.

We were fortunate to have acquired the services of our original Architect, Keith Miller and our Phase I Contractor, Irwin Seale. They guided us though the last six months of 2007 in developing a workable Phase II Plan to begin construction in 2007 to avoid additional code changes that could have made the building of the Fellowship Hall not financially feasible.

In the meantime, during 2007, several items of note were accomplished: In July we conducted our Fellowship Hall building fund campaign. On Sunday, July 29, our Commitment Sunday, we knew the results of our pledges to our 3 year campaign. A most gratifying response of over $342,000.00 pledged.

With that response the congregation authorized borrowing up to $615,000.00. The Presbytery of Arkansas approved this amount in September.

We obtained our building permit December 6.

Construction began December 27.

In addition to the construction of the Fellowship Hall during 2008, several modifications to our existing facility were made:

*The air flow noise in the Sanctuary was reduced by reworking the heating and air conditioning so that the Sanctuary and Narthex are on the same system.

*Fifty percent of the space utilized by our coffee bar area and storage area was converted to a choir robing and music storage area, maintaining the remaining space for storage.

*The Parlor/Library area was reworked to include a more accessible computer system and enough shelving was added to double our library book space.

*Two hanging lights were installed in the rear of the Sanctuary and one hanging light was installed in the Choir Loft.

An excellent source to visually see the chronology of the building of Fellowship Hall can be found on our church website, www.woodlandschurchhsv.org.

Our first use of Fellowship Hall was for our cookie/coffee fellowship following our Worship Service Sunday, August 31, eight months after construction began.

Our formal dedication was held Sunday, September 21 following the Worship Service.

Financially we are on target.. 2008 Building Fund income was + 7% over projection. Additionally, we were able to use 2008 building income to pay for building expenses, which had the effect of reducing the amount needed to be borrowed under long term financing. Construction loan monies borrowed were at the rate of 4.5%. In cooperation with the Finance Ministry Team, we have modified our loan to reflect a prime floating rate of 4.0%, adjusted annually, with a floor of 4.0% and a ceiling of 7.0%. There is no penalty for pre-payment. The amount of our note is $525,000.00.

Thanks be to GOD for His oversight in all our past, recent and future activities. May all be done for His glory and honor.

—Fellowship Hall Building Team

Sam Thompson - Chairman

Dale Anderson

Lewis Stivitts