The Master's Plan

Answers

The following questions are from Parkwood members just like you. If you have any other questions, please click that link at the top of the page and submit the form. Your question will be answered on this page as well as at the Discussion Meeting on Sunday.

Could we build a similar facility on our property or on an adjacent piece of property for similar or a lesser amount?

We can build a similar facility that has the same amount of space on our current property or even on another adjacent property for an estimated $70 to $75 a square foot (1.4 to 1.5 million). If we did this, however, we would either loose future parking spaces (which we will soon need) or we would have to buy an adjacent property. Current adjacent property is selling for $90,000+ an acre for a large enough parcel to build this building upon. Therefore, our estimated cost would be very similar (1.6 million) to what we would have in this building while not taking up any of our needed future parking spaces.

Has the GW been appraised by a professional appraiser?

Gymnastics World was appraised May 21,2002 for $523,000. We have not had it appraised since then. Property buyers within our church (Sam Pierce, Bruce Rhyne, Joel Gerringer) have informed us that with the increases in tax values ($522,000) within the past 12 months and the current climb in property and land cost within Gaston County, that they estimate the appraisal value to be around $625,000.

What considerations have been given to the operating costs that will be associated with the SMB?

Have these been quantified? We asked for the utility bills for the past two years to get an understanding of what these bills would be. With these bills we have estimated that our monthly utility expenses for the Student Ministry Building will be somewhere around $1100 a month. Of course, summer and winter months are higher than spring and fall months. There currently is not a need to upgrade the current heating and cooling systems, except to add one more unit (on the back) to heat and cool the downstairs classrooms. Our engineers tell us that with the renovations (cutting the large area in half and having 8 classrooms) that our utility needs could very well decrease as we heat and cool only the areas we need for each day.

Could we not better use the property where the two houses on Garrison sit?

If we had free access to use them as we desire the answer would be “yes” to this question. Unfortunately, we have been told that we have to place a water retention pond where the playground currently is so that the water coming off the ball field will be caught and slowed down in its drainage. What happens to the “staff house” is still in question, but the maintenance house and the barn beside it will be torn down. The location of the water retention pond where it is dictates what we can do with that area. Nothing of any major size can be placed there.

Can members of Parkwood Baptist donate their skills and time to this project?

This would be considered when we begin the church bidding process and would depend upon the selection of the general contractor.

What will happen with the Hispanic Church?

From the beginning of the church plant the plans were for this church to have their own location. This church building should be located somewhere closer to the Hispanic community in our county. In the mean time, they will remain in Bldg C until the time to remodel the building for Children's Ministry. At that time, if we are not ready to move, the Hispanic church will be asked to change their worship and Bible study meeting times and days.

Will a covered walkway between Building B and B Annex be built?

Yes, we plan to provide a covering from the Annex to Building B.

Would it be practical to have a covered walkway from Buildings C and D to the Worship Center/Building A?

Yes, we plan to provide a covering/sidewalk from Buildings C and D to the Worship Center area for safety and inclement weather.

Will there be space for children to play outdoors near the areas of Buildings A and B?

Yes, we plan to provide an enclosed area next to Building B (along Dixon Road) for children to play safely. We will retain the current playground for our younger preschoolers.

Why is the children’s Bible Study space going from 95 to 450 while the AWANA space is only changing from 140 to 225?

The Bible Study space is for both hours, 9 and 10:30 whereas the AWANA space is for one AWANA program only. Actually, the AWANA space will be much greater than 225. We only included the space in Buildings B, B Annex, C, and D in the presentation material. All of the classrooms underneath the Worship Center are available for children to use for AWANA during Wednesday nights. That additional space could accommodate at least 165 more children for AWANA, which would be approximately 390 for AWANA.

How much money is currently in the church’s building fund?

Our desire is not to use these funds in phase 1, but to raise all the funds on Exponential Sunday so that these funds can move us quickly into phase 2. With that said there is currently $172,137.01 in the Building Fund.

If we do not receive the majority of the amount in May, will we be called upon to buy /sell bonds to raise the remainder of the funds?

We will not sell interest bearing bonds. If we do not raise over $700,000 on Exponential Sunday we will not move forward with “The Master’s Plan” because the church voted not to incur debt.

How long will it take to renovate the Student Ministry Building?

Those who understand building and construction have told us that the project will take from 4-6 months. This is assuming that things go smoothly and that all money is available.

What precautions will we take to make sure that students who are crossing the street to go to the Student Ministry Building are safe?

The primary time of concern for this will be on Sunday morning as students move to the Student Ministry Building for Bible Study. Our plan is to hire police officers and make a single cross walk for our students to safely move to and from the Student Ministry Building.

Could we replace the Worship Center carpet, but leave the pews as is?

The details of such questions will be answered prior to Phase 3 and will be shared with the entire congregation at that time. We will assemble a committee of highly qualified individuals to answer these questions.

Can we renovate the kitchen sooner than Phase 3?

Even though the kitchen is woefully lacking in size, we think it is best to wait until seating has been expanded to expand the size of the kitchen. We will look into how to best use what we have until we can add space.

Can the parking at Gymnastics World be connected to the current parking lot at the church office?

The parking between Gymnastics World and the office would be connected once the office is moved at Phase 4. The topography of the land would prevent connecting the parking lots at this time.

Why is it necessary to have all the funds up front to purchase Gymnastic World property and renovate it to a Student Ministry building?

Even though we could purchase the building and later renovate it, the property would be of little to no use to Parkwood until it was up-fitted for use by the Student Ministry. The facility’s current lay out and provisions are designed for a gymnastics gymnasium not for a worship area and certainly not for classrooms.

How can the Master Plan and the Master’s Plan be so dramatically different in cost?

The Master Plan requires the demolition of current facilities C & D, the elimination of parking and the building of two entirely new buildings plus a larger galleria to connect the existing buildings with the new buildings. In short, new construction is far more expensive than renovating properties. Further, when you connect existing buildings, you already have walls to work with which cut down on the cost of the construction.

It seems that with the purchase of the new building, for the youth, that they are being more isolated from the main body of the church. The youth need to more involved with the main church. Why can't the senior youth be involved with the children sunday school so they would be better prepared as young adults? What can be done?

The Student Ministry Building will be used for Student Ministry programming (Bible Study, 1:28, XL, etc). These parts of our Student Ministry occur in buildings that are separated from the rest of the Church facility currently. Our students meet in C, D and E. So, from a facility stand point, our students have a separate facility now. The only difference is the distance of the facility and the addition of a large multi purpose room as well as a fellowship space. As to the involvement of our students in various areas of our church. There are many of our HS students who are involved in AWANA each week and who help with childcare from time to time. You will find that for the last three years, our students have helped in overwhelming numbers with VBS and other children's ministry events. Our students are very involved now in the ongoing life of our church. We are very committed to helping students be prepared to become young adults who are maturing in the faith and committed to the local church. That's what our ministry is about.