Springbourne Christian Centre

Building Project

Rather than a never ending stream of posts on the main pages about the building work, we’ll keep this page up to date with the latest news on the building work.

We’ll keep the latest at the top, so it’s easier to see what’s happening. If you want a complete rundown, that does mean you’ll have to read it backwards though.

Thurs 12 Aug

Wow, time flies when you’re busy. OK – I’m going to give up on the photos for the moment (as we’re basically nearly done). The doors between the church and extension are in and the tall windows in church have been replaced with some that don’t have breezeblock visible halfway down them, which is nice. Mostly we’ve just got decorating and finishing off to do inside – the carpets will need to go down last, and that depends on the car park being surfaced (as we don’t want sticky tar all over the new carpets). Plus Dave seems strangely keen to have it open by the 1st Sept. You’d think someone was getting married or something.

All in all, it’s looking very hopeful. The target as of last night’s discussion was to be able to use the toilets by the 29th (the ‘opening’) even if the carpet isn’t down. Once the carpet is down and the finishing touches put in (like furniture) we’ll have a proper dedication service and party some point in mid/late Sept.

Wed 23rd June

I’m getting slower again, and the photo’s I do have are still on my phone. Here’s the latest though:

The plastering is done, the floor screed is down and we’ve got to agree the internal doors today or tomorrow.  The car park apparently has a 8ft square hole (though I assume it’s actually round, I’ve not seen it yet) for a soakaway.

Toilet cubicle colours are chosen (and I’m afraid it was third choice for the ladies as the first two were not available).

All in all it’s looking good. Current estimate apparently is looking to be 1 week late (that would be 22nd Aug).

Mon 17th May

Other new door into main hall (with my new wires hanging up)

Wow, it’s been a while since I updated this apparently. I spent Saturday morning running cables through the new building for the computer network and the PA and video systems, and the security cameras. I left a load of bundled up cables hanging in the extension for the builders to poke through the wall this week, and hopefully I’ve left enough cable spare to reach the PA desk on the other side of the wall. Despite measuring twice, somehow I’m still sure I’ve missed a bit somewhere, they will probably all end up an inch too short.

The office from 'the corner'

The building itself is looking great. The roof is covered, if not tiled and felted yet. There was a little discussion between the builders, us and the architect about the most suitable covering for the flat part, but I think that’s sorted now. The solid walls are all up inside (but not the stud walls yet) so you can really see how everything’s going to fit together.

Behind the ‘confessionals’ in the main hall are two large holes in the wall where the new doors will go – I could walk through into the church even if I had to duck under the hearing loop wire to do so.

Thurs 29th Apr

Not taken any photos this week, I’m afraid, but the roof now has the joists on all through, and is partly boarded as well. The internal old side door has been taken away (which the alarm didn’t like), and that section is ready for the new doors now. The main hall now has a nice wooden confessional type feature where they are preparing to block up the lower windows where the new building will join. This is also where one of the two new doors into the main hall will go.

We’re picking the colours for the toilets this week as well, hopefully it will be something that no-one gets upset about – you may well know how painful choosing colours for a church can be. The smaller the committee, the better. I think we should just let Norma pick.

Wed 21st April

With Dave away, I needed to attend the progress meeting which was an interesting event. The building is making good progress, and despite the early rain the builders are only 4 days behind schedule at the moment. The walls are coming up well, and the joists are almost all there on the roof.

I got to wander round the site, and took some shots from inside. With the internal walls starting to appear, you can really see where everything’s going to fit. Due to some error in the original plans (dating back 10-15 years I think) the whole build is going to be about 50cm narrower, but that shouldn’t have a major effect on anything, we might need to move a door slightly. We moved some power sockets around for practicality, and I’m going to need to be ready to go in and run network and sound cables  to wherever we’re likely to need them.

Unfortunately, and unconnected to the new building, there is a big hole and several small ones appearing in the rear wall of the main church and the pigeons are back, which is why I was up on the roof to take a look while the scaffolding was up. The brickies are going to give us a price to fix the serious hole, while the scaffolding is up to make access easier.

Sat 10th April

Popped over yesterday to pick up something from the office, and was surprised to see the builders working hard on a Saturday. It’s looking good though, we’ve got external redbrick walls starting to creep up along with the internal block walls, and insulation up to the level of the internal wall now.

Wed 7th April

Sorry for the lack of updates – I’ve been away. At the prayer meeting last night it was still light (but I didn’t have a camera with me, I’m afraid) but I could clearly see walls!

Perhaps not the most exiting thing you’ll ever see, but I like this part of the project where you can really see the progress. They were not quite as tall as me, but definately big enough to call walls.

I’ve also got the wiring plans to look through, and we’re getting samples for the toilet floor and cubicle options. The current plan is to let the girls tell us what colour to go for, since they have some sense of style.

Thurs 18th March

The site is now boarded and gated up (and the boards painted some of the way round). It looks more like a building site and less like a demolition mess now.

Southern Electric came round yesterday to check whether they were happy with the position of the cable (presumably the main incoming line). Given it would cost around £6k to move it we’re very grateful that they reported it to all be in order.

The footings have now been dug, and the concrete is being poured this week. By the start/early next week we should have foundations and a floor. Dave’s promised me a photo of this as soon as it happens…

Great start! Thanks God, thanks builders!

Thurs 11th March

I popped over to the site yesterday on my way home from work to see what was happening. There’s no toilets at all now!

There was also some large holes in the old side entrance where the main door was taken away, and the doors were screwed shut. I’m assured it will be slightly more secure by tonight, but at least the alarm is still working.

Tues 9th March

(From original post here)

If you weren’t convinced yesterday, you will be now.

If you look carefully though you might notice a cowboy on the digger.

Mon 8th March

(From original post here)

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I can announce the Building Work has started!

Still sceptical? Here’s a picture as proof!