As you might have seen in our Weekly Update videos, our building – and the Sanctuary in particular – is a hub of activity. Outside, a job site trailer that houses a small office can be seen in the south parking lot. Inside the Sanctuary, plastic sheets cover the empty pews, scaffolding stretches high up toward the vaulted ceiling, and large white buckets filled with Antique White paint line the middle aisle. Employees from Elevation Painting can be seen working in multiple areas around the Church. With tools in hand, they have completed painting in all eight stairwells as well as in the Choir Loft. Asbestos abatement of the popcorn ceiling in the Narthex has been finished, and they now have the painting of Barrett Chapel and the Sanctuary in their sights.

To prepare for this work, Elevation Painting is patching and repairing water damaged drywall in the Sanctuary. Mobile scaffolding has been constructed to allow the painters to reach the upper vaulted ceiling of the Sanctuary. As Construction Committee Chair, Bud Starker, says, “We have much work to do inside the building over the coming winter months and be ready for exterior improvements in the spring. We move now from design to construction and the pace quickens. Thanks to all for your continued support, your gifts and your prayers.”

While not as visible to the casual onlooker, a great deal of work is being done behind the scenes. Bud describes some of these hidden details. “Our construction team is out-to-bid with their sub-trades to bring back actual pricing, allowing us to confirm our budgets and finalize the scope of work.” 

In addition to this, Colarelli Construction (CCI) is in the process of marking up a construction access plan to identify the areas that will not be accessible due to safety and security concerns during construction. Pertaining to safety, Bud adds, “We are considering the impacts of COVID-19 on our gathering patterns at the church to promote a safe environment when we return to the building.” CCI is also working to finalize the scope for the non-sacred window restoration and repair portion of the project. CCI continues to work with potential Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing subcontractors for a design-build contract on all upgrades and construction. 

Our work doesn’t stop there. CCI and Tryba Architects (Tryba) have coordinated several meetings with the structural engineer and Sierra Pacific to continue design on the Lantern, a new, enclosed second floor space in the Westminster Commons. Another estimate has been developed based on the Design Drawings and Tryba continues to offer value engineering to keep the project on budget and on schedule. 

For their part, Tryba has completed the Design Drawing phase of the project and expects to publish the Permit Set, which will allow us to apply for permits with the city, this week. Vince Colarelli, Montview’s Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, comments on this. “We are excited to reach this milestone where drawings have been submitted for a permit,” he says. “After months of preparation, we can finally see construction starting and all the hard work taking shape.” Tryba has also coordinated the installation of sample lighting upgrades in the Sanctuary for the Construction Committee to review.  

KL&A Engineers, a consultant to Tryba, has performed selective demolition and onsite testing to determine the structural capabilities of the existing Westminster Commons. MEI Elevator has been released to perform the upgrades to the elevator finishes. They have obtained the permit and are currently awaiting materials.

As Co-Pastor Ian says, “It’s so exciting to see all the dreaming, planning and prayers finally becoming reality.” Co-Pastor Clover adds, “Yes, so many people put in so many long hours to get us to this point. We’re grateful for them and, of course, to everyone who supported the campaign with their financial gifts. It’s going to be very special.”

With all of these moving parts, you might be wondering how the many threads of coordination come together. To assist with this, Procure construction management software is being launched as a means of everyday communication, file sharing, and daily check list completion for coordination between Montview, CCI, Tryba and all subcontractors as the project moves forward.

If you’d like to get more information about this project and learn what’s to come, take part in the Congregational Meeting being held on November 8 at 1pm. This meeting to elect next year’s church officers will include a Town Hall with Vince Colarelli. Vince will present an update on our construction projects and answer questions. Register here to get the meeting details.