Looking Up | Reaching Out Campaign


LURO Updates

Construction Update, May Harbinger, April 12, 2008

 
Work on the church renovation and expansion project has been a reality since January.  Most of the activity has centered on the demolition of internal walls that have delineated rooms and hallway since 1955, which was the year that the original church was completed. 

When the masonry walls were taken down, brick by brick fashion, temporary 4 x 4 supports were installed to hold up the ceiling and roof framework.  Currently new brick/concrete block walls are being installed and the temporary supports are disappearing.  Some plumbing facilities are being installed in the new rest rooms.   Work-in-progress has generally been visible by looking through the porthole style windows that were cut in the plywood wall ahead of the west entryway doors. 

 
One of the major tasks of the renovation and expansion project has been to install central air conditioning.  In the Sanctuary, duct work has now been installed up high, where the two ceilings meet.  The air duct will be hidden by a horizontal wood frame that has space on either side for the cool air to be directed downward.  Because the wood frame will look suspended, it has been called a "cloud."  When completed, the "cloud" will match the ceilings in both wood material and painted surface. 

Building codes require a fire protection system on projects the size of Zion.  In the Sanctuary a sprinkler system has been installed.  The main water pipe has been run at the top of the ceiling next to the air conditioning duct.  Branch pipes with sprinkler heads have been installed downward along both sloped ceilings to give full sprinkler coverage to the entire Sanctuary.  All pipes are being painted with a color that matches the ceilings.  

Earth excavation has been started on the south side of the church, where the building expansion will take place.  Progress is currently halted, pending removal of the existing electrical service facility and the installation of a new service.  Our Pre-school children have loved to look out the windows and see the trucks and excavators at work!

As of this writing the sidewalks along the north side of the church are being removed.  These sidewalks will be replaced at a slightly higher elevation that will be compatible with the new covered entryway on the northwest corner of the church. When all is completed, a car will be able to drive under the covered entryway structure, let passengers out, and exit along the horse shoe drive.

So, you may ask, when will the Congregation be able to move back into the Sanctuary?  In response, the best estimate is mid-May.  That would include time for the contractor to finish construction work and for Congregational volunteers to move and re-set pews.

 
Thanks to everyone for being wonderfully patient during the demolition and construction process.  If you have any questions about the church renovation and expansion project please contact Gary Schultz, Jim Mayer, or Orlin Loen.


 
Construction Update, June Harbinger, May 18, 2008 

Construction work is proceeding on schedule.  During the winter and early spring, the workers concentrated their efforts on whatever was reasonable to do indoors.  With arrival of warmer weather, activity now includes work on outdoor improvements.

The canopy is largely in place and is the most visible structure that was added during late April and early May.  It is located at the northwest corner of the church and will provide an overhead cover for people to drive under and discharge passengers to a new door that will be installed later.  When viewed from the west, the canopy has changed the overall appearance of the church.

Work in the Sanctuary is completed enough for the Congregation to begin reinstalling the pews.  Over the past month work has been completed on the fire protection system, fans, and overhead lights.  The air conditioning duct in the choir loft has been installed and concealed with a wood frame, similar to that in the Sanctuary. 

Improvements at the front of the Sanctuary have been completed.  The stained glass window has a new wood frame and the glass has been cleaned.  New terrazzo patches have been installed in the diamond shape floor under the altar and in a space behind the pulpit where steps were removed.  The pulpit structure has been lowered to the same level as the lectern and a short rear wall has been removed.

Consumers Power has installed a new underground electric service line and transformer that connects to the boiler room panel.  Other work done in the boiler room includes asbestos abatement, removal of the boiler and controls, and delivery of a new boiler.

Work on the south side of the church has included earth excavation to base level for floor slabs and footings.  The existing vitrified clay sanitary sewer was replaced with a heavy duty plastic pipe.  Concrete foundations and foundation walls have been poured.

Thanks to everyone for putting up with inconveniences due to construction.  If you have any questions please contact Gary Schultz, Jim Mayer or Orlin Loen.