Task Force readies key presentation for February 5
Clarity is emerging for a new campus master plan
by Joe Bjordal
January 7, 2012 — “Central does not need more space. Central needs different types of space.” That was the consensus following the 17th meeting of the Campus Master Plan Task Force on January 4. The discussion seemed to indicate that, after months of research, evaluation and planning, clarity is emerging for a new campus master plan.
Two scenarios being evaluated
At the meeting the Task Force heard the results of an intensive second round of detailed planning about square footage needs for 13 different functional areas including the Restoration Center, education, fellowship and hosting, kitchen, and administration. The revised numbers came from meetings between a working group of the Task Force—consisting of Ron Fiscus, Deborah Bauknight and Sarah Strickland—and members of the staff and other ministry leaders. An important element of those conversations was the concept of multi-purpose and shared space. For instance, space used for children’s education only on Sunday mornings needs to be available and functional for other purposes during the week.
The findings have resulted in two campus master plan scenarios that are now being evaluated and discussed by the Task Force. Tom DeAngelo, a consultant from Architectural Alliance, presented drawings of the scenarios at the January 4 meeting along with initial project cost estimates, provided pro bono by McGough Construction, the contractor for Central’s bell tower project.
Both scenarios call for the removal of the education building, constructed in 1952, to make way for new space for fellowship, dining, meetings, a new kitchen and an entry plaza on the south side of the campus. It has been determined that those functions cannot be fitted into any existing buildings.
The major difference between the scenarios is how space is provided for three major ministry areas: education, music and the Restoration Center. One would locate them in a re-purposed and redesigned Parish House. The other would replace the Parish House, constructed in 1957, with new construction.
The Task Force had previously announced that renovating the buildings from the 1950s may prove to be too costly and would not provide the types of space that Central needs going forward in the 21st century. Both scenarios include new, multi-purpose chapel space to provide a more intimate setting for smaller worship services, weddings, funerals and musical performances.
The Task Force began a discussion about the “pros and cons” of the two scenarios, which it will continue at its next meeting on January 18—eventually resulting in one scenario being selected as a component of the campus master plan.
Key events scheduled
Two important events related to the Task Force’s work have now been scheduled. On Sunday, February 5—at a forum at 9:45 a.m. in the Community Room—the Task Force will present important information about its planning concepts and next steps in the process to bring to the congregation a final campus master plan for approval this spring. On Sunday, February 19 there will be a special meeting of the congregation—immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary—for the purpose of authorizing expenditures for conceptual drawings and the final phase of consulting—both necessary to bring the Task Force’s work to a successful conclusion.
Report mailed
As a prelude to the February 5 meeting, a 16-page report—titled “Imagine this!”—is now in the mail to the homes of Central members. In it the Task Force recounts its work to date and presents the “guiding principles” that were compiled as a result of its “listening phase.” The principles—which are permeating the planning process—give a detailed look at the hopes and dreams that members and friends have for the future of the congregation, including making Central Lutheran Church a “missional hub for ministry with the city, community, world and the wider church.”
The Task Force also shares details about how the actual Campus Master Plan is coming to life and begins to invite the congregation to re-imagine “the palette” of the campus through a diagram showing new placement of functional areas. Task Force chair Bill Masche said the report “is a must-read for Central members as we move toward the successful completion of this important effort.”
The report concludes with comments from Senior Pastor Rick Nelson in which he calls this a “defining moment” in the history of Central Lutheran Church.
“We could just do business as usual; fix a few things and leave it to the next generation. Or we could say there is a pulse rising here at Central and in this city—a positive, changing time; a movement building that people want to be a part of. Let’s create a vision that allows us to do more of what we do excellently as the hands and feet of Christ in this world. If it takes some major work, let’s do it. Let’s not leave major questions to the next generations.”
Clarity is emerging for a new campus master plan
by Joe Bjordal
January 7, 2012 — “Central does not need more space. Central needs different types of space.” That was the consensus following the 17th meeting of the Campus Master Plan Task Force on January 4. The discussion seemed to indicate that, after months of research, evaluation and planning, clarity is emerging for a new campus master plan.
Two scenarios being evaluated
At the meeting the Task Force heard the results of an intensive second round of detailed planning about square footage needs for 13 different functional areas including the Restoration Center, education, fellowship and hosting, kitchen, and administration. The revised numbers came from meetings between a working group of the Task Force—consisting of Ron Fiscus, Deborah Bauknight and Sarah Strickland—and members of the staff and other ministry leaders. An important element of those conversations was the concept of multi-purpose and shared space. For instance, space used for children’s education only on Sunday mornings needs to be available and functional for other purposes during the week.
The findings have resulted in two campus master plan scenarios that are now being evaluated and discussed by the Task Force. Tom DeAngelo, a consultant from Architectural Alliance, presented drawings of the scenarios at the January 4 meeting along with initial project cost estimates, provided pro bono by McGough Construction, the contractor for Central’s bell tower project.
Both scenarios call for the removal of the education building, constructed in 1952, to make way for new space for fellowship, dining, meetings, a new kitchen and an entry plaza on the south side of the campus. It has been determined that those functions cannot be fitted into any existing buildings.
The major difference between the scenarios is how space is provided for three major ministry areas: education, music and the Restoration Center. One would locate them in a re-purposed and redesigned Parish House. The other would replace the Parish House, constructed in 1957, with new construction.
The Task Force had previously announced that renovating the buildings from the 1950s may prove to be too costly and would not provide the types of space that Central needs going forward in the 21st century. Both scenarios include new, multi-purpose chapel space to provide a more intimate setting for smaller worship services, weddings, funerals and musical performances.
The Task Force began a discussion about the “pros and cons” of the two scenarios, which it will continue at its next meeting on January 18—eventually resulting in one scenario being selected as a component of the campus master plan.
Key events scheduled
Two important events related to the Task Force’s work have now been scheduled. On Sunday, February 5—at a forum at 9:45 a.m. in the Community Room—the Task Force will present important information about its planning concepts and next steps in the process to bring to the congregation a final campus master plan for approval this spring. On Sunday, February 19 there will be a special meeting of the congregation—immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary—for the purpose of authorizing expenditures for conceptual drawings and the final phase of consulting—both necessary to bring the Task Force’s work to a successful conclusion.
Report mailed
As a prelude to the February 5 meeting, a 16-page report—titled “Imagine this!”—is now in the mail to the homes of Central members. In it the Task Force recounts its work to date and presents the “guiding principles” that were compiled as a result of its “listening phase.” The principles—which are permeating the planning process—give a detailed look at the hopes and dreams that members and friends have for the future of the congregation, including making Central Lutheran Church a “missional hub for ministry with the city, community, world and the wider church.”
The Task Force also shares details about how the actual Campus Master Plan is coming to life and begins to invite the congregation to re-imagine “the palette” of the campus through a diagram showing new placement of functional areas. Task Force chair Bill Masche said the report “is a must-read for Central members as we move toward the successful completion of this important effort.”
The report concludes with comments from Senior Pastor Rick Nelson in which he calls this a “defining moment” in the history of Central Lutheran Church.
“We could just do business as usual; fix a few things and leave it to the next generation. Or we could say there is a pulse rising here at Central and in this city—a positive, changing time; a movement building that people want to be a part of. Let’s create a vision that allows us to do more of what we do excellently as the hands and feet of Christ in this world. If it takes some major work, let’s do it. Let’s not leave major questions to the next generations.”
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