This is an exciting time to assume responsibilities as your new Building Our Future Chair. The Board moved to make this change last month to enable Les Solomon to devote more time to his duties as Board Chair.
It is wonderful to watch as our new facilities become a reality. With the shingles painted, the landscaping started, most of the paving done, we can follow the progress as this exciting project nears completion. There are lots of photos on our WUU Flickr site that capture our progress Click Here.
Some recent and pending activities:
Almost all of the concrete and asphalt sidewalks and driveways have been completed
The entrance has been enhanced with the new trees and shrubs to make it a more inviting campus
New cabinets, sinks, and lighting are in place
Some of the new kitchen equipment has been ordered and bids are expected very soon for the other items in the new kitchen.
Dominion Power to flip the switch soon to power up the new building, helping the remaining activities in the new wing to be completed.
With the power on, the floor finishing can begin
A committee is being formed to recommend how and when to furnish the Gathering Hall
After reviewing the possible need for a cut to create a new handicapped accessible ramp in front of the sanctuary, the BOF believes that our new handicapped accessible ramps and sidewalks in front of the sanctuary provides a better solution.
Temporary Occupancy
As we have already experienced with this project, there are unforeseen events that impact the schedule. Without going into the details of why, our current estimate of when we will receive temporary occupancy of the new building will be in early October. Shortly thereafter work will begin on the gathering space which will impact how we enter and use the Sanctuary. Total completion with full occupancy is now scheduled for end of November.
Your Assistance will be Needed
We will be asking for your assistance and patience during this next period of time. Before we can being work on the new gathering space (the expanded narthex), we must clear out all of the spaces in the narthex, audio room, kitchen and nursery and store them appropriately. We will be celebrating this move with everyone assisting in some small way to move the items into storage. While the work on the gathering space is underway, we will all be inconvenienced because we must use new entrances and will need use the new restrooms. More details on this will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about the ongoing work activities, please feel free to ask anyone on the BOF team. Tours of the new facility will continue after the second services.
