Q: What does the estimated cost of $2.1 M include?

Answer:
The acquisition of the property and worship space renovation and enhancement (which includes organ acquisition and reconditioning, relocation of choir to rear of nave, sanctuary redesign, chapel and narthex renovation and nave loft renovation). It does not include renovation or construction of any additional structures on the current property.

Q: Is it correct that the purpose of this presentation is to ask the congregation for approval of this project in order to move forward? And, do we have the necessary monies to commit to next steps?

Answer:
There are funds that have been donated specifically toward each of these project goals (property acquisition, nave renovation, organ replacement), but a vote by the congregation is necessary in order to ascertain commitment on the part of the congregation. It is important to understand that a vote to go forward is a commitment to help make it happen. We’ll need everyone’s participation.

Q: Can the project be broken up into separate parts so that we don’t need to do everything at one time?

Answer:
The proposed renovation and capital fund raising is strongly influenced by events over which we have little influence or control.

1. Renovation:
   It has been apparent for the past few years that our organ is failing and that our ability to maintain it has been diminishing. We are now at a point where a significant investment will be necessary to replace the current instrument. A qualified professional assessment of our sanctuary has confirmed significant acoustic deficiencies in the design and construction of our current nave and sanctuary. Additionally, we are faced with ceiling damage from heavy rain intrusion through the bell tower over the past 20 years and a lighting system that has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. In fact, we were unable to obtain bids on replacing on our outmoded lighting ballasts this year. We believe that we can provide for a new organ, improve acoustic and design elements of the nave and sanctuary, and correct maintenance issues at the least expense by approaching organ replacement and renovation as an integrated effort; the cost of these three items alone represent seventy-five per cent of the overall project.
2. Purchase of property:
   We expect the property to become available for sale in the next few months. The owner’s family circumstances are such that they now wish to move closer to their children, so this is a window of opportunity for us. The last sale of the property was more than 20 years ago. If we fail to successfully purchase the property in the near future the next opportunity for purchase may again be 10 – 20 years in the future. In the worst case, the property could be sold to a developer who would subdivide and develop the property for housing in a way that would preclude any prospect for us to purchase or use the property in the future. We must be prepared to purchase the property at this opportunity or risk its loss forever.

Q: Will financing the project involve a loan from the Diocese?

Answer:
We will have to have a financing plan that allows us to go forth with the purchase while we raise the additional funds. Our current thinking is to seek funding from a source offering the best terms. We would then pay off the loan or line of credit at the end of our fund-raising campaign.

Q: When will we start the capital funds drive?

Answer:
Either start after Christmas or start it sooner if opportunity presented itself – so as not to conflict with the annual stewardship campaign that provides us resources for our annual operating budget. In reality, the campaign has already begun; we have $100,000 + in the bank designated for the property and approximately $100,000 more in the bank designated for other parts of this project.

Q: How long will the capital funds drive last?

Answer:
Both our Diocesan and outside fundraising consultants have recommended a 3 year campaign. Given the transience of our parish membership, there will be fresh opportunity in each of those three years to reach out to new folks. In addition, after reviewing our membership and stewardship, both consultants agreed that a 2.5 million dollar campaign is eminently doable in three years for a parish our size (a measure used by our consultants is 2.5 – 3 x our annual pledge income). We do not intend a long term mortgage to finance Ministry for Tomorrow!

Q: Has anything been done about involving the community in our endeavor? Specifically, encouraging community members to consider attending St. Andrew’s due to this exciting growth period.

Answer:
This hasn’t really been addressed, but the newly formed Capital Campaign leadership team of Doug Connell, Bob Edmonds and Chris Conrad, welcomes suggestions as well as new committee members. Please contact them directly if you are interested in joining the Campaign committee. Now is definitely the time to bring forth suggestions so they can be evaluated and incorporated into our planning if deemed feasible.