Today as a congregation we are seeing the ‘Vision’, and the questions related to the ‘Vision’. The Vision is approximately double our available funds so … over the next month or so we will be seeking more input on proposals about what will be done and what will not be done.
We are using the previous Q & A, the Lunch & Learn input cards, the active Listeners and emailed comments from people in the proposals to implement parts of the Vision.
Watch for next steps…
Here are the questions and answers generated for the team and the architects from two sessions held at the Leaside United Church hosted by the LUC Renovation Team … a Lunch and Learn on October 21st and a Townhall on October 28th.
October 21, 2018 Lunch and Learn with LUC Renovation Team AND LARKIN ARCHITECTS
Roberto Chiotto and Michael Nicholas-Schmidt – Leaside United Church 12-2:30pm
1. Did you find this project a challenge?
Yes. The most interesting and enjoyable projects always are!
2. What is wrong that we can’t leave the front of the sanctuary alone?
The goal of reorienting the sanctuary was to provide a more generous welcoming space, and eliminate the need to use the worship space as a corridor.
3. Why do we need a banquet room as well as the gym?
These spaces will have very different finishes and functionality and would allow a broader range of events.
4. What rental opportunities have we had to turn down because we can’t accommodate them now? Has the design taken that into account?
The design has incorporated feedback from the property management in terms of which areas are in demand for rentals.
5. Will there be a bank of washrooms on the main floor including the gender neutral ones. Please confirm the number of washrooms on each floor.
There are two unisex washrooms and a universal washroom on the main floor. The basement nursery washrooms remain the same and new banks of washrooms are introduced near the new basement lobby.
6. Will the meeting/quiet rooms on the main floor offer privacy if used for counselling?
We are currently exploring the possibility of sliding doors which can provide privacy for counselling, and the possibility of overflow seating.
7. Will offices on the main floor be reconfigured to increase the number of offices?
The current plans reorganize the offices to create four good sized offices. Additional counselling/meeting spaces are provided in the transepts.
8. Will there be potential for an awning or covered area in the outside space?
The new entrance has a projected awning. Additional covered spaces could be added.
9. Re: Levels & Accessibility, previous presentations spoke of seven different levels in the church. After the renovations how many levels will there be?
We have eliminated one level (fellowship room), added a barrier free ramp to the chancel, and relocated basement washrooms so that they are accessible from a consistent level.
10. Would you need to change the grade at the front of the church to eliminate steps from McRae and Field?
No.
11. Will the current front door still be functional with the new entrance way?
We want to encourage the public and community to use a single point of entrance both from a security and welcoming perspective. That being said, the historic entrance to the church is still functional in the proposed design.
12. Will the doors to the new meeting rooms one and two be able to open full into the worship space?
See Question 6.
13. Getting older – moving chairs won’t be easy – can we leave the pews?
The advantage of eliminating the pews is the possibility for right sizing the worship space and flexibility of event type. Feedback should be provided to the congregational development team.
14. Do we need air conditioning in the sanctuary?
If the occupant load of the sanctuary increases by more than 15% than ventilation is required. If the community decides air conditioning is not required in the sanctuary we can work to avoid this requirement by limiting the occupant load of the sanctuary to its current capacity + 15%. Feedback should be provided to the congregational development team.
15. Does the office administrator want to be exposed in a new reception area?
The intent of providing a new reception desk was to provide a welcoming and accessible gesture at the new entrance.
16. When will work start and length of time to do it?
There are many variables that may affect the timeline, but we are currently targeting a 10 month construction window beginning in the summer of 2019.
17. Renovations often reveal “surprises”. Do you anticipate any surprises?
We have conducted thorough investigations and research but nevertheless expect surprises. A contingency has been included in the construction budget.
18. Is there any room for “sweat equity”.
We do not recommend getting the community involved in the construction process for reasons of liability. There may be some finishing tasks at the end that could be left to the community.
19. Where will the Sunday School be located?
The Nursery will stay in its current location. We anticipate the new transept meeting rooms could be used for Sunday School or the banquet hall.
20. What kind of windows? Traditional/Modern?
The budget currently allows for aluminum windows.
21. Will current front door be removed?
No. See question 11.
22. Will the front door stairway be replaced with landscaping?
No. See question 11.
23. How long will the renovation take?
See question 16
24. Where will we have church in the meantime?
Our schedule anticipates phasing of the work. On past projects we have been able to avoid missing a service. Depending on the schedule and budget restrictions we have a variety of options including phasing any work in the sanctuary, or relocating the worship space to a temporary space (ie. Gym)
25. What will be done with the current main entrance?
See question 11.
26. Will the Barberry hedge be taken out?
Yes, although the hedge will be replaced in some locations where appropriate to retain the historic character of the site and channel circulation.
27. Will we be able to hold services while under renovation?
See Question 24.
28. Will the stained glass and leaded windows stay?
Stained glass windows (in the sanctuary) will be removed, repaired, and reinstalled. Tinted glass windows (everywhere else) would be replaced.
29. What about the water under the church?
This is a significant issue we are aware of and would make sense to handle while replacing the gymnasium floor.
30. What is a “timber grading” report?
A timber grading report is a report that confirms the strength and capacity of historic timbers not matching contemporary structural tables.
31. What would our new electrical service be? 500 amps?
600A 3-phase.
32. Is it possible to make the gym more acoustically “friendly” in order to be able to use it for rehearsals?
Yes, although the best acoustical absorbers are soft this can easily be damaged in a gymnasium, so there are limitations.
33. Can the Auditorium ceiling be raised and it be more acoustically “friendly”, in regards to music rehearsals?
We may not be able to raise the ceiling depending on any new ductwork. We can definitely introduce new finishes to improve acoustics.
34. Are there any government grants available for energy efficient hvac/electrical installations?
Yes. We will continue to explore these as the scope of work becomes more clear.
35. Does the window budget include refitting the two major stain glass windows in the sanctuary?
These windows would simply have a new protective covering added and repairs to the stained glass.
36. How high is ceiling in the gym? Badminton requires a minimum of 20 feet.
The current gymnasium is 19’. It is not possible to raise the ceiling.
37. Could we retrofit two pane windows over top of the stained glass windows without removing them?
No. The new windows would need to fit in the opening currently filled by the stained glass. We also need to make sure the stained glass is properly ventilated.
38. Why can’t the renovated gym be a banquet hall?
See question 3.
39. The coffee station by the new reception area is that for after service coffee or do we still go to the Hearth Room for coffee?
The intent is to provide a new coffee station within the new gathering space.
40. Can we get this presentation via email?
Yes.
41. Who will do the upkeep for the coffee station?
Maintenance issues have not been discussed yet.
42. Who will do the upkeep on the new landscaping?
Maintenance issues have not been discussed yet.
43. What is the basic cost for ventilation? Is it included in the Air Conditioning cost, can they be separate?
The majority of costs are for the ventilation. Adding a condenser to cool the air is a relatively minor addition to a roof top unit.
44. Can the HVAC system include zones throughout the facility both for heating and cooling?
Absolutely. Each zone will have different thermostatic control.
45. What is the estimated cost of energy savings with a new HVAC system vs. existing costs?
The new HVAC systems, while energy efficient, will represent a net increase to energy costs as there are zero ventilation related energy costs currently. Predicting energy usage at this stage is preliminary and will depend highly on scheduling.
46. What HVAC options would be available to improve/maximize energy costs?
See Question 45.
47. Can this design include a hydronic heating design rather than a forced air system?
Yes. The existing hydronic heating system will remain.
48. Will there be any consideration to install electric vehicle chargers?
This item has not been included on the priority list, but could be added as the parking is located close to the electrical room.
49. Any plans for the design to accommodate renewable energy now and in the future?
Not currently.
50. Were solar panels considered to bring down electrical costs?
No, due to issues with roof reinforcing and capital costs.
51. Where is handicapped parking?
Additional accessible parking spots could be considered in the current parking area. Drop off and parking areas have not been increased/decreased. The area of asphalt paving has not been changed from its current layout due to concerns that the city will not approve an increase in impermeable surfaces.
52. Where is drop off parking?
See question 51.
53. How will the present entrance and Narthex be used?
See question 11.
54. Please clarify what happens to existing front entrance. Will it be used or closed?
See question 11.
55. Where is the organ going to be located? What about the pipes?
The organ pipes will remain in their current location. The organ console will be relocated to the new chancel.
56. What is the seating capacity now in the sanctuary vs. a 200 seat plan?
The existing sanctuary can accommodate 200, the balcony allows an additional 40-50, and the current transepts allow ~30.
57. How will the organ console be accommodated in the new space?
The organ console will be relocated to the new chancel.
58. What’s happening to the organ?
See question 55.
59. Will the organ pipes be re: installed?
See question 55.
60. Will the sound come from the (new) back of the sanctuary?
Yes. Many churches have the organ pipes at the back of the church. Due to the resonance of the space, we do not anticipate any change to the organ quality.
TOWN HALL MEETING – Sunday October 28, 2018 Leaside United Church with Larkin Architects
Key QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the plan for the clear and stain glass windows?
This is a very low priority. Very little change is affordable . It would cost about $1.0 Million to insulate and repair the windows. There are 109 windows in the church. The energy efficiency of insulating is about 10% efficiency which is very poor. Besides the rest of the church walls are not insulated anyway. The cost would have over a 20 year payback.
2. Comment about how good the design of the architects was. Best ever.
That’s good but there are a lot of priorities. Too many actually.
3. Could people sit in the transepts for funerals of 400 people?
Yes
4. What about handicapped parking?
A further review will be made to maximize parking. City regulations are key here, particularly when it involves how close access is to the intersection. There is no intent to reduce the parking. The area will be the same or ideally larger.
5. Is a better elevator important? Is it expensive?
Yes. It is a high priority of the congregation. Cost estimate is $100,000. LULA type (LULA=Limited Use/Limited Application). No keys are required. It is a bit slow but like a commercial elevator. Very safe and improved accessibility.
6. I see the worship space will have fewer seats. How many?
It will be right sized for a flexible number of congregants. There will still be up to 200 seats. It will be designed more for the average worship service size.
7. Where will the Church Office be sitting?
There will be a church officer room on the main floor near the Gathering Room
8. Will there be changes to the Fellowship room?
Yes if affordable. The floor will be raised and there will be storage for chairs, tables and decorations.
9. What other changes?
The Banquet Hall (Auditorium) gets bigger, the Nursery stays the same and the Gymnasium is repaired and renovated. It is in very bad repair with the roof leaking and a floor that may potentially continue to collapse, break and rot. It is literally sitting on earth at the present.
10. What type of rental would want to use the worship area?
Other church congregations. Many churches rent to congregations who worship other than Sunday mornings. With improved acoustics, AV etc. A variety of music and arts entertainment renters would be feasible. Our main renters are using the large space areas like the Gym, Hearth Room and Auditorium. Larger is better and more lucrative for LUC.
11. Comment : The city and surrounding community does not know we have this beautiful space , orchestra, and chamber. We should have an Open House so they can see we have a beautiful space.
12. If we take out the pews and move the organ, could our organ sound be compromised?
That is a possibility that needs to be studied by a sound consultant. This type of expert consultant is planned.
13. Where is the 2nd accessible entrance for fire safety?
There are lots of exits. Not an issue. All large spaces need good accessibility
14. Will LUC being complying with all codes if we upgrade?
Yes Building codes are not retroactive but upgrades must be built to code.
15. Did we approach the Nursery School as to there future needs
Yes
16. Is the Chancel in the new or even existing Sanctuary going to be raised?
Yes in either option it will be more accessible with a ramp, and every attempt will be made to maximize the sight lines for Sunday services, concerts and other entertainment.
17. Is it possible to set up different options and designated sponsorships where people can donate?
Yes this will be considered.
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