Reflections, Prayers, Suggested Readings, Stewardship Thoughts

The following proposal from our Property Committee will help to inform and engage everyone in the discussions surrounding the proposed renovation of the CANTER BLVD. ENTRANCE . Please become familiar with the details, ask questions of the committee, and provide any input you feel could be useful, either to the committee members themselves or to other council members.

THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE SEEKS YOUR INPUT ON THE PROPOSED CANTER BLVD. ENTRANCE RENOVATIONS.

After many months of planning and consultation with an Architect, the Property Committee has submitted a Proposal to Council to renovate and enhance the Canter Blvd. entrance to the Church. Copies of the proposal are available in the upper narthex and on the Web site and a model showing the proposed changes is on display, also in the upper narthex. This project is still at the discussion stage and no decision has been taken.

Your comments are welcome and will be taken into consideration as the Committee and Council formulates a final proposal for presentation to the Congregation in the New Year.

Members of the Property Committee are: Colin Potts (Chair), Howard Brickell, Craig Fulton, Dave McGale and Lloyd Seaman Please speak to one of them or to any member of Council.

Proposal to renovate the Canter Boulevard entrance to the Church

The Property Committee has recognized that a number of issues regarding the Canter Boulevard Entrance and Upper Narthex are in need of replacement and improvement.

`

This proposal addresses these issues. It includes:

- replacing the Windows

- Replacing the Doors

- Replacing the Outside Ramp,

- Enlarging the Upper Narthex by approximately 12 ft by 35 ft, and.

- Replacing the Roof over the Upper Narthex

Why such a large Project?

This area has not had any improvements since its original completion in 1967 (43 years ago).

Windows:

It is the only area that has not had a window upgrade.

The existing windows have settled and have left at the top of the glazed units, an opening to the outside big enough to put your hand in. This has received a temporary repair. We believe that the wood sill, which forms part of the window frame, has developed dry rot and no longer provides the structural support needed.

The existing large windows are a poor excuse for thermal seal units. Newer high tech windows are much superior and will include low E, Argon gas, thermal break design to eliminate and/or reduce thermal transmission of cold during the heating season and heat gain in the summer. We are also requesting that ventilating sections be a part of the window design which will improve air circulation during the hot summer period.

Doors:

The existing single set of Doors are in very poor condition. The hardware is wearing out, repair parts are not available, one door cannot be opened. They are a continuing source of band-aid maintenance. The glazing in the doors is single pane.

Outside Ramp:

The existing Ramp has settled several inches at the entrance door sill and along its entire length. Several significant cracks are getting worse as each year passes. The slope and railings do not comply to current code for accessibility. A new ramp would require redesign to incorporate a 5 ft landing in front of the entrance doors and because of its length, an additional landing would be required midway which would make the new ramp quite massive and unattractive. As this ramp is not covered it is extremely difficult to keep free of ice and is considered a danger to users.

Our Architect is recommending that we eliminate the ramp as this entrance is not required to be Handicap Accessible since the Church is already well served by the Epworth Ave entrance and the vertical lift. This also means that power assisted doors would not be required.

Exterior access to the upper Narthex would be by 5 or 6 steps and a 5ft landing at the exterior set of doors.

Enlarged Upper Narthex

The existing interior ramp in the upper Narthex is not up to code and would be required to be changed once the renovations to the Windows and Doors are undertaken. If the exterior ramp is eliminated, the interior ramp could be taken out. However, this would then deny the disabled access to this area. An expanded area would incorporate a new ramp.

It would also be prudent to incorporate a second set of doors forming an expanded vestibule, thereby reducing the amount of cold air blowing directly into the upper narthex and Sanctuary and improving comfort for greeters and the Congregation.

An enlarged Narthex would also provide additional space for greeters and various displays by Church groups and a redesigned area for Coat racks, eliminating the crowded area and the need for a coat racks in front of the stain glass panels in the Sanctuary.

Roof over the Upper Narthex.

The roof over the Upper Narthex needs to be replaced. It is not leaking at the moment and would likely be OK until the renovations are started. The addition to the Upper Narthex would create a different roof line.

Summary of Benefits:

- Savings in Heating cost

- Enhanced Congregational comfort due to substantial decrease of cold drafts

- Better ventilation in the summer months

- A ramp that meets current code requirements

- Enlarged area in the upper Narthex available for greeters and displays

- Enlarged area for coat racks.

Preliminary Cost Estimate:

Our Architect has provided us with an estimate of $250,000. This is an indication of probable costs based on Architectural sketches and existing drawings only.

Actual costs will be determined by a competitive bidding process. Our constitution requires us to receive a minimum of 3 bids.

For the architectural plan of the proposal click HERE.