Hope Christian Fellowship is in the process of creating a new home where we can worship, learn, and connect with our community.
The first phase of the project (opening early summer 2017) will include an expansion of our current facility to include new offices, restrooms, storage, and a lobby that opens into a large auditorium with fixed theatrical tiered seating and a modern stage.
The second phase of the project (opening early autumn 2017) involves an overhaul of our current facility to provide a large multi-purpose room, kitchen, updated restrooms, and additional classroom space.
We will have new entrances and a covered walkway off of a new drop-off driveway and parking as well as updated parking options around our facility. When the road relocation project is completed in Vint Hill, we'll expand the parking in front of our building even more.
Here is the current draft of the floorplan showing the new space and renovations to the current space. (Yes, things will change; it's a work in progress.): Hope Floorplan 2-24
Progress Update • August 27
A lot has happened on the project in the past month! The stage is nearly finished and awaiting its wood surface (which will be installed near the completion of the facility). Risers for the stadium seats are in, and they will be finished in concrete in just a few days. Framers have the skeleton for all the walls in place. Electricians have been running conduit and installing boxes for outlets, switches, etc. And the first sheets of drywall have begun to go up.
Behind the scenes, final equipment has been arriving and stored on site, awaiting installation -- speakers, theatrical lighting, and lots and lots of cables. Rigging will be installed next week, making everything ready for ceiling painting to begin.
The project is a few weeks behind schedule, but we're allowing our builders the extra time to make sure all the details come together with excellence.
Progress Update • July 12
The stage has been blocked out, and crews are building supports for the boxes that will connect conduit for power, audio cables, etc. to different parts of the space. Meanwhile, the new restrooms, copy room, offices, and lobby have been framed, and it's possible to get a good feeling for how those spaces will work.
Once shop drawings are completed ("any day now"), the roof will be closed in and the risers at the back of the auditorium will begin to take shape. A/V equipment and stage lighting have begun to arrive on-site. Various fixtures and finishes have been chosen for the new multi-purpose room and restrooms.
Things are moving quickly now...!
Progress Update • June 18
The crews are finishing up work on the concrete, as channels are cut and filled for various plumbing, conduit, etc. We should be seeing seat risers and stage framing soon.
Behind the scenes, audio & lighting equipment has been ordered and is starting to arrive. Acoustic baffles have been constructed (thanks, volunteers!) and are waiting to be sanded & covered with fabric.
The Décor Team & Building Team have been pouring over final drawings for kitchen & classroom cabinetry, electrical wiring, lighting fixtures throughout the facility, doors & locks, etc. We'll meet with the Architects and Engineer this week to review everything and hopefully sign-off.
Progress Update • June 6
Construction is well underway now. All of the interior of the new space has been cleared out. Old walls have come down, windows are installed, doorways are opened, giant iron headers are in place, plumbing has been stubbed in, and the new ramped walkway between our new lobby and the multi-purpose room has been poured.
Over the next couple of weeks, concrete work will be finalized, with the new floors being tinted and polished. The risers for the new stadium seats in the auditorium will be built, and work will begin on the stage.
Meanwhile, audio and lighting equipment is being ordered, utilities outside are being moved (which is creating an ever-changing chaos for our driveway and current entrance... thanks for your patience!), acoustic panels are being built, and so much more.
Progress Update • March 24
It took a while for us to receive the formal lease from the landlord, and our Building Team has been pouring over the details this week. A list of revisions and requests was presented, and now we're eagerly waiting for agreement so we can sign the paperwork. That will trigger funding, and things will move quickly.
Of course, the construction crews aren't waiting. When they haven't been trying to repair the leak in the roof of Hope's current meeting space, they've been busy working on the main entrance to the lobby and starting to tear down the brick & cinderblock wall to make room for our new stage.
Meanwhile, Covenant Christian Academy signed a lease to rent the space adjacent to us. We're looking forward to a long and friendly relationship with our new neighbors. (Others confirmed for inclusion in this project are a Crossfit gym and À la Carte Catering + Event Design. We're looking forward to discovering the other neighbors in the offices and warehouses associated with this project in Vint Hill.
Progress Update • March 5
We are waiting on the next wave of construction & engineering drawings from the architect, as well as the final version of the lease from the landlord. We're also waiting on recommendations and specs from our tech consultant regarding the power needs & placement for audio, video, and lighting in the new auditorium. Meanwhile, our teams have met to choose kitchen & classroom cabinetry, as well as consider furniture options. A sample theater seat is at Hope for folks to try. Meanwhile, our Decór Team is gathering to select colors of paint, flooring, trim, and more. (Oh yeah... they've also cut out the opening for the main entrance!)
