LUC Renovation & Mission Communiqué

Council, General, Get Involved, Presteign-Woodbine, Reference, Volunteers, Worship / By

Our Leaside United Church Future – Communiqué

Update of Key Missional Priorities and the LUC Renovation Project

August 31st, 2018

This is the first of a number of communiqués that will be issued biweekly for the next number of weeks/months. We hope that you find them to be educational, transparent and informative. We also wish to use these communiqués to show the main benefits of the processes, directions and phases proposed.

With the coming together of Leaside United and Presteign-Woodbine United Churches in June, 2017, we have prepared and are implementing the Congregation Development Plan .

I talked with Co-Chairs Brenda French, Warren McDougall and Graham Lute and they indicated, “We are trying to lead the renovation project based on the majority of the key directions that came from the congregation research and surveys that were carried out since September 2017.  We are seeking to carry out the congregations directions not our own personal feelings”.

Below, you will find some of the current issues the renovation team are working on plus an important timetable focused on the work to be carried out by the architects.

Watch for upcoming updates online, in the bulletin, your weekly email or check back for past updates on the website here.

Thank you very much,

Michele Petick
LUC Communications

What are the goals of the Congregational Development Plan (CDP) ?
  • Connect and inspire our local congregation with our Mission including key initiatives for the next 10-20 years.
  • Upgrade and renovate the building structure, infrastructure and site in line with our Mission.
  • Explore ways to reach a broader community, across East York and Leaside, with missional priorities and special new projects.

LUC Renovation Team ( LUCRT)

Immediately following the July 18, 2018 LUC Council a new LUC Renovation Team (LUCRT) was formed and will be active until construction of the site and building are completed in an estimated 2-3 years.

Purpose:

Manage all key responsibility areas of the LUC Renovation Project in a timely, effective and efficient manner as possible. The team will manage the everyday planning and implementation details and operations, reporting to the LUC Church Council who will have responsibility for the overall vision, establish the top four priorities, strategic and financial planning and final approval. The LUCRT and the Council will communicate and discern with the LUC congregation in a timely manner in order to seek appropriate input, provide updated project information /progress and try to minimize/avoid unexpected circumstances.

The LUCRT will interpret the key directions and sentiments of the LUC congregation to the best of their abilities in as efficient and affordable manner as possible.

Along with the LUC Council and Board of Trustees, the LUCRT will seek the required directions and approvals from Toronto South East Presbytery.

Team Members:

The team is comprised of a small, nimble, group of individuals with as much experience, energy and commitment to the Missional Development Project and LUC as possible. There will be Co-leadership for each functional area of responsibility .

Leadership of key functional shared responsibility areas are as follows:

1.   Overall Team Leadership – Co-Chairs Brenda French, Warren McDougall, Graham Lute

2.   Key Missional Activities – Co-Chairs Emily Gordon, Warren McDougall plus lay people TBD.

3.   Overall Building and Construction ( Internal, External, Reimagined) – Co-Chairs Jim Miller, Fraser Holman

4.   Key Briefs – Co-Chairs Brenda French, Anne Raby, Graham Lute will work as a team on the following key areas. This team will be responsible for the preparation of Final Briefs and desired outcomes for the following special more potentially sensitive sub projects. These outcomes will be communicated to the Construction/Building Co-Chairs who will work with the architect and construction partners.

•   Two Kitchens

•   Landscaping

•   Modernizing Sanctuary and Chancel

5. Finance, Recording and Rental Facilities Planning Co-Chairs
Bill Kinnear, Ann Fraser

6. Outbound Communications – Michele Petick

Individual Co-Chairs may seek advice and add individual support at will.

LUCRT Project Timetable:

  • June 15, 2018 – Architect Request For Proposal issued to 10 firms
  • June 20, 2018 – Architect mandatory site visit ( 7 attended)
  • July 5, 2018 – Deadline for architects’ credential submissions ( 5 submissions received)
  • July 18 2018 – LRT plan presentation/discussion/approval and recommended architect partner of Larkin Architects for approval at LUC Council
  • July 19, 2018 – Awarded architect partner to Larkin Architect Limited
  • August 8, 2018 – Architect prepared contract, and work plan by August 3 ( for approval that was received at August 8 Council).
  • August and September – Architect prepares design, options, estimates and presentation materials as requested.
  • September 16th, 2018 – Congregational Town Hall after worship with Architect Michael Nicholas-Schmidt
  • October – Discernment of plans and architect recommendations with LUC Council and congregation
  • End of October – Final refined plans are completed
  • November 12, 2018 – Toronto South East Presbytery Approval Meeting
    Winter / Spring 2019 – Construction documents, tendering, permit submissions
  • Late spring/early summer 2019 – start construction.