The first question we ask is always: “How does this action help to make disciples?” In this case, the belief is that the greatest impact can be made by transforming the gym space into effective ministry space. In this plan, the current gym space is transformed to support a nursery, children’s play area, and large group gathering space supported by breakout rooms. In contrast, while the Kelly Center certainly needs to be renovated, the current space has usable space for staff offices, ministry meetings, and large group gatherings. In other words, we get a greater impact, sooner – and for slightly less cost.
The gym is seldom used as an actual gym except by one outside group that rents it. Its normal use is as ministry space - but substandard ministry space. The gym does get used occasionally for kids (including Preschool kids) to run around. As you will see in the Community Center plan, ample room still exists to meet this need in the large gathering area. In addition, we intend to enhance our outdoor space for gathering and recreation. In short, from a disciple-making perspective, the impact of renovating the gym space is hugely positive!
Significant parishioner input drove the development of Vision 2020, which in turn led to the creation of our 5-year Parish Pastoral Plan (this Campus Master Plan initiative is included in the Pastoral Plan). The spirit of the voices captured during the Vision 2020 process combined with our pastor’s vision, staff ministry experience, and the expertise of our architect (the same architect that designed our church building) led to these 2-dimensional space plans. In addition, both Parish Council and Finance Council were updated throughout the process. A new, dedicated survey specifically for this purpose was not done. As we move forward, additional design discussions and input will involve the Building Committee, Parish Council, Finance Council, and various ministry teams.
When reviewing the space plans for both the Community Center and the Bishop Kelly Center, you will still see significant spaces that can be used for these occasional very large uses. These spaces include the current cafeteria (same amount of space), the large group gathering area in the current gym space, and the Parish Hall in the Kelly Center. We believe we can also incorporate the meeting rooms in the renovated gym space into such use with some smart design. We will remain blessed to have three sizable gathering areas across these two buildings.
In a nutshell, the old narthex becomes a Welcome Center, our old worship space becomes a Parish Hall surrounded by meeting rooms, and the parish offices are expanded, encompassing the old work room and St. Mary room.
The Parish Hall will be multi-purpose and a bit more upscale than the Community Center spaces. It will be used for a variety of activities including large group gatherings with small group breakouts and for parish-wide gatherings.
Think of the current plans as space plans, not use plans. We haven’t determined all the appropriate uses yet. Use for wedding receptions is a future discussion that will consider how this use aids in making disciples, workload/staffing, etc.
The parish offices will be expanded: encompassing the current space, the old work room, the St. Mary room, and the adjacent corridor. The design will incorporate open office concepts and include an internal conference room and several huddle rooms within the space.
The current Preschool space will be refreshed (flooring, walls) but not remodeled in the sense of demolishing or adding walls. We believe several elements of the plan will be attractive for the Preschool including the Welcome Center, children’s area in the community center, and enhanced outdoor spaces.
In terms of expansion, think of the current plans as space plans, not use plans. We haven’t determined all the appropriate uses yet. The current thinking is that the conference rooms added on the east side of the Parish Hall will have doors both from the Preschool side and the Parish Hall side. In this way, we will be building in flexibility to support a variety of uses.