August 2010 BIC status report to the Autumn Ridge Church Board

 

Executive Summary

Pledged funds for the CENTER at Autumn Ridge amount to 58% of estimated completion costs, so the prioritized plan will complete recreation and lobby spaces and shell the remainder of the facility.  Cost estimates are in line with budget and blueprints are being completed for bidding in late August and construction start in September.  We are praying for low bid prices in order to stretch available resources.  Construction will take 6-7 months.

Finances

The original CENTER construction estimate was $4.55 M, with another $150K for Compassion Evangelical Hospital, creating a target of $4.7M for the Sharing Hope initiative.

Actual pledges to date are near $2.8M, so $2.65 will be available for the CENTER after set aside for CEH.  This means that pledged giving covers 58% of the full cost of the CENTER.

Note that ~$200K remains in the pre-Sharing Hope capital account from Imagine a Place and It’s Time.  This money has been earmarked to cover the costs of architectural design and project management  for the project.  It is estimated that perhaps $80K of this will remain unspent after these fees are charged.  It would be ideal if this $80K were available to stretch the construction budget.  On the other hand, nothing has been set aside for the closing or carrying costs of the short-term construction loan, so this must be borne in mind.

As of July, 2010, the rough estimate for the project cost was $2.66M with $220K of that being contingency.  Various incremental design changes since then put the project close to budget.  However, until bids are received August 31, it is impossible to guess how close.  Our fervent prayer is that aggressive bidding will save considerable resources and allow a greater fraction of the project to be completed.

The short-term construction loan is being negotiated with Wells Fargo Minneapolis office, with Roger Stahl in close contact. 

Process

Because only 58% of the CENTER construction cost has been pledged, a partial construction plan has been initiated with the following priorities:

1.  Complete entire exterior shell of the CENTER to save on future construction costs.

2.  Complete the large multi-purpose room with sports equipment and connecting lobby with bathrooms.

3.  Implement a quality multi-purpose flooring solution in the large room.

4.  Match exterior to existing building (please note that this is not priority #1).  If it is
impossible to afford, a durable and attractive solution that matches the existing exterior pattern design will be implemented.

A variety of other alternates will be bid to see what more might be included.  However, it must be noted that NONE of the other functions of the CENTER will be completed (classrooms on either level, changing rooms, kitchen, utility/maintenance).  These spaces will be left in a form that cannot be occupied until considerable extra interior construction is completed, including construction of stairways to the second level.  Likewise, no resources will be set aside for A/V or acoustic treatments in the large multi-purpose room.  All extra resources (if any) will be directed toward a quality floor solution.  The desired flooring product would cost about $125K.  Although some completion projects may gradually be attempted by owner, it is our prayer that the obvious need to complete the CENTER will inspire additional pledges in the short run.  Perhaps there is no better advertisement than the obviously unfinished character of the spaces surrounding the large multi-purpose room.

Design has been completed and construction documents are nearly complete.  The CENTER will occupy 28,270 square feet, with 21,210 in the main level.  In comparison, the existing facility (2 levels) occupies 73,219 square feet.  When completed, the CENTER will thus represent 28% of total facility space. 

The bid process will welcome as many regional bidders as possible in order to recognize aggressive bids.  The church is not obligated to award to lowest bidder, and can use discretion and wisdom in the process, informed by the architect and contractor.  Church members are welcome to bid, but should not make assumptions about preference.

Certain potential volunteers with proven skills and dependability may be tapped to assist in very defined construction and clean-up activities to reduce costs and enhance a sense of congregational participation.

Although there is no formal BIC budget for playground or site landscaping, teams are assigned and are developing master plans/policies for both a new outdoor playground and a master landscaping plan.  These plans will be kept on file and will guide improvements over time, in order to guide an orderly and purposeful build-out as funds permit.

Weekly BIC updates to the congregation will continue through Ridgelines and the church website.

Upcoming dates to note

  • Blueprints are released to bidders by Knutson Construction Services on Monday August 16, 2010.
  • Bids are due to Knutson on Tuesday August 31.
  • BIC will review and award bidders on September 1, with construction to start shortly thereafter.
  • Groundbreaking ceremonies will take place as the end component of all three services on the weekend of September 18-19.  Ceremony details and congregational participants/activities are being coordinated with pastoral staff.
  • Construction will be ongoing through fall, with an alternative building access plan through one of the other side doors into the backstage hallway.
  • Construction is estimated to take 6-7 months.

 

Big picture

This is an exciting project and momentum has been blessed through a generous congregation, dedicated building committee, excellent project manager, and strong professional partners.  Even though the CENTER will be quite unfinished when this stage is complete, recreation and interaction functions will be delightful.