Construction Project Q&A
**If you have additional questions that aren’t addressed here, feel free to email chairman@westcannon.org.
Questions: Realizing we are comfortable with First Companies, what is their process to ensure we are getting competitive pricing from sub-contractors (especially mechanical, electrical, etc..). If they set the budget and then come within budget, that sounds good but how do we know that’s efficient? Will the church have any oversight on the quoting process?
We will have full transparency in the quoting process. We also have knowledgeable people on the building committee that bid these types of jobs for their companies that will be giving guidance. Our own WC members that are certified electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractors can also be used if they want to provide their time and expertise to help reduce costs.
Questions: As part of this project, will we have to install a sprinkler system in all of our existing buildings?
We won’t know for sure until we get a more finalized architectural plan finalized and approved by the county. We are hopeful that we could utilize some fireproof doors that would allow us to only put fire suppression in the new addition/renovation but without a more advanced plan for the county/Fire Marshall to look at, we won’t know for sure.
Question: Would there be any cost benefit to using the trade skills of individuals who attend the church in the building process? Are we planning to ask individuals about their willingness to work?
Answer: First Companies would be willing to use licensed skilled tradesmen from West Cannon to help during the construction process. General labor could be utilized for some limited opportunities but adds a level of complexity with regards to schedule and coordination.
Question: How has the overall reception to this proposal been?
Answer: Generally, it seems to be very well received!
Question: When do we choose building vs. Church planting?
Answer: The Elder Council has evaluated both church planting and church revitalization options. However, due to our location being surrounded by many like-minded churches, and our members being spread across West Michigan, planting a new church nearby is challenging without stepping on the ministries of our neighboring like-minded churches. What we have been able to do is invite some of our members to come alongside a church in need and eventually become a part of that church, as was the case for Cedar Springs Baptist. One of the challenges with church revitalizations, however, is that there is little way of knowing very far in advance when such an opportunity will be available—and if it will be one where there is mutual interest in partnering.
Question: Would there be any cost savings for combining the first two Phases?
Answer: We do believe that there could be some cost savings if we were able to do Phase 1 and 2 together but without a specific architectural build plan those costs would be hard to determine at this time.
Question: Could we combine the Phases (1 & 2 or all 3) and do them at the same time? Could we reorder the phases (like doing Phase 2 before 1, as it seems like it may be a quicker build)?
Answer: If there is a clear desire and financial ability for us to do two phases at the same time, we would certainly look at what would be the most effective use of the build out. We think that the current phases will limit the overall disruption during construction, but we would continue to evaluate that and have a plan to accommodate any disruptions if both phases were to be done together.
Question: If we did Phase 3 first, could that free up the space needed for our children? What is the plan for our current sanctuary once we have completed Phase 3?
Answer: It would not be recommended to do Phase 3 first. Right now, we barely fill our current sanctuary and family room venue, so we would significantly underfill a 1,200-seat sanctuary. Additionally, following the completion of Phase 3, we would still have the cost to renovate the old sanctuary for classrooms. Our current sanctuary would serve better as a youth area and classrooms for our teens down the road as space utilization would be more efficient due to the nature of teaching, activities, and gathering differences with our older children. The Phase 1 proposal provides the best security for our young children by giving us the ability to better manage entry/exit points along with adding many new classrooms.
Question: What do the dashed lines mean in Phase 2?
Answer: The dashed lines represent an ADA ramp that connects to the upper parking lot and provides easy access to and from the entrance along the stairs.
Question: Have we looked into expanding the sanctuary into the foyer?
Answer: Yes, we certainly would have additional overflow options once we complete Phase 1 and open up the foyer into the space currently occupied by the courtyard. An initial look at expanding the sanctuary as a long-term solution revealed that the cost versus how many additional seats we would gain was not a good option.
Question: Would adding a second story to the children’s wings be cost-effective?
Answer: We do not believe the current structural foundation would be able to support a second story, nor would it be cost effective with the required additional elevators needed to support adding a second story there. We believe the current Phase 1 approach is more cohesive and cost effective.
Question: Do any of the Phases include a parking lot?
Answer: No. We do not believe Phase 1 would require any additional parking as we would be losing only a handful of parking spaces. Additional parking will most likely be needed in Phase 2 and certainly Phase 3.
Question: Does the cost include a parking lot?
Answer: None of the pricing estimates include any new parking spaces. Currently, the cost of adding additional parking spaces is around $4,000 per parking space. We would most likely need to consider additional parking for Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Question: Will there be any outdoor play area for the children, especially for MotherWell and Grace at the Well?
Answer: Although not depicted on the slides, we believe Phase 1 will still allow access to a spot behind the current 200 wing for an outdoor play area.
Question: Will we lose the softball field with any of these Phases?
Answer: Current mock-up drawings of the needed parking spaces indicate we may need to encroach onto the softball field. However, the field on the southwest side of the Pettis driveway may end up being a better location for parking, but we will not know for sure until we are able to complete a more specific analysis of all of the spaces. Either way, this would likely not be the case until Phase 2 or Phase 3.
Question: Where will the classes go during construction (both adults and kids)? How will construction impact our current ministries during the week (Koinonia, MotherWell, Grace at the Well, Wednesday Night Programs, etc.)?
Answer: Most of the construction in Phase 1 would happen without disruption to our current facility's use. Towards the end of Phase 1 construction, we would hope to open some of the newly constructed space for use prior to any construction that would interfere with our use of the current 100/200 wing spaces. We would adjust and utilize our space as needed, both on Sundays and during the week, recognizing there will be some short-term pain for significant long-term gain.
Question: What is the monetary timeline to start?
Answer: We would need 40% cash in-hand to start, and that depends on how quickly gifts are received. This will be a combination of up-front gifts along with the portion of 3-year gifts needed to get us to the 40% cash in-hand amount.
Question: Will there be a survey coming out to gauge support?
Answer: Yes, after we feel as though enough communication and time has been provided, we will take a soft feeler of giving desire and capability.
Question: What has to happen before we vote?
Answer: We want to make sure everyone has a good understanding of our current situation and needs. After we feel as though there is a good understanding of our current needs, along with the project as a whole, we will take a soft feeler to better understand our church’s giving ability. From the soft feeler, we hope to have an understanding of giving desire and capability. At that time, the Elder Council will put together a recommendation upon which the congregation will vote, and if approved, the capital campaign will begin.
Question: When will we vote on the construction project?
Answer: Likely in our October Congregational Meeting, but we may be able to hold a special meeting for the vote at an earlier time if we have a clear direction prior to then.
Question: What is the vote requirement for approval?
Answer: A minimum of three-fourths majority vote by West Cannon’s Members is required for approval.
Question: What does the overall timeline look like?
Answer: Once we have the necessary cash in-hand, we will be able to break ground and can expect a construction duration of about one year for Phase 1.
Question: How long after approval would it be before we can actually start? When is the earliest we can start this project?
Answer: After congregation approval, we would need to get build drawings done and all the proper county approvals as well as have 40% cash in-hand before breaking ground. A very rough estimate would be spring of 2027 unless giving came in faster than that.
Question: What is the projected length of the project?
Answer: Phase 1 is estimated to take about a year; Phase 2 would probably be a little shorter than that. If we did both together, it would most likely be about a year and a half.
Question: Are the prices presented today’s current prices?
Answer: Yes. These prices are current estimates and would be impacted by economic conditions.
Question: Have we considered bidding this out to other construction companies to get a better cost?
Answer: We have worked with First Companies for many years; they know us and we trust them. We certainly want to get a reasonable price, but we value our long-term relationships and First Companies has proven to come in on budget and on time.
Question: What is the amortization rate?
Answer: Our current rate for a building loan is 6.25%
Question: Will we need to finance the committed portion of the money?
Answer: Depending on when construction is complete, there may be some potential overlap between 3-year gifts coming in and starting the loan. If we complete construction prior to all 3-year gifts coming in, we may need to finance a portion of those gifts for the remainder of the time until the 3-year gifts arrive.
Question: Is the current Journey Fund going towards this project? If we start giving to the Journey Fund now, would that money go towards this new construction project? How can we specify our gifts to go to the Journey Fund?
Answer: Yes, currently, the money that is in the Journey Fund (JF) will be used for this project. Giving to the Journey Fund is already available through the online portal on Church Center by selecting it from the drop-down menu under “Fund”.