It’s really happening! The renovation to our Parish Center is underway! Our asbestos survey report came back negative and our demolition permit has been approved! By the time you are reading this, demolition will have already begun! The architect is still putting some final details on the kitchen, bathroom, and overall drawings, but we hope to share those with you very soon! Thank you for your patience during the time of construction. We expect the project to last from now through the summer. Finally, I would like to thank all the staff members who have worked tirelessly over the past couple weeks to prepare the Parish Center by organizing and moving tables, chairs, and other supplies, especially Ken Doering, Rick Jablonski, and Barb Manning! Thank you!!!
Believe it or not! We are finally beginning our Parish Center renovation project! No, really! The contractor has asked us to be ready for demolition in early March, so during the last week of February we will be clearing out the Parish Center of all the tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, ministry supplies, and other items. If you are involved in any ministries that use the space, rest assured we will do our best to accommodate you during the time when the Parish Center is unavailable. Thank you for your patience and, as always, please pray for this project and for all those involved in ensuring its success. We will share much more information with you in the coming weeks. Thank you!
We had hoped to begin construction this month, but we are not quite ready to start yet. We continue to make progress, albeit slower than we all would prefer! The health department rejected our initial kitchen plans and provided comments that need to be addressed. Our architect has brought on a food service consultant to assist with necessary changes. We expect to have the new design changes submitted back to the city by mid-February. Our architect is confident that our kitchen permit will be approved with this second submission. Unfortunately, things are taking longer than usual with the city right now. Thank you for your patience and, as always, please pray for this project and for all those involved in ensuring its success. Thank you!
When: Early 2022!
Progress continues to be made since our last update and we are happy to share that we are on track to begin construction in January! The renovation will start with the complete remodel and expansion of the kitchen. We met earlier this week with our new contractor, KGM Builders, Inc., and are very excited to have them working with us on this project. Our kitchen drawings are being reviewed by the City of Phoenix and we are currently working with the architect and contractor on finalizing the other details of the project (flooring, bathrooms, doors, lighting, walls, and a few other various items). As always, please pray for this project and for all those involved in ensuring its success. Thank you!
Check out this great update video from Steve Mandarino!
Nearly four years ago, we began the five-year Together Let Us Go Forth diocesan capital campaign at Corpus Christi. Thank you to our parishioners who continue to give towards this campaign! We recently received a semi-annual disbursement from the diocese for $38,000. If you are able, we ask you to please continue to fulfill your pledges for the remainder of the campaign. As you know the portion of funds that the parish receives are going toward the planned renovation of the Parish Center.
Speaking of that, we want to give a big shout out to the Knights of Columbus for a recent donation of $30,000 to go towards the Parish Center renovation fund. Thank you, Knights of Columbus! Finally, please be on the lookout for an exciting update on the Parish Center renovations! Spoiler alert: construction is planned to start in a couple months!
On Monday, July 8 the Parish Center Design Committee met to start finalizing the initial design ideas. Some research is being done to determine whether the renovations will trigger the need to add a sprinkler system to the new commercial kitchen, or to the entire building. There would be a significant expense to adding a sprinkler system, so this is an important factor in the project. There is a possibility that the vestibule (entrance) of the Parish Center will not be expanded as originally thought. If that is the case, the existing doors and walls would still, however, be changed significantly to allow more natural light and to be a more welcoming space.
The design committee spent much time focusing on the overall storage of the Parish Center, trying to factor in storage for tables & chairs, hospitality/kitchen items, and for various ministries that commonly use the space.
READ MOREOn Thursday, March 14 and Sunday, March 17, parishioner input meetings were held to introduce our architect, provide an update on the project, share initial renovation ideas, and - most importantly - receive input from parishioners. The three meetings had a total of about 60 parishioners and we were able to form Parish Center Design Committee with six members in addition to a few staff.
On Friday, May 10, several members of the Parish Center Design Committee traveled to a couple of other parishes in the Valley to see their parish center/hall to see their set up and gain more inspiration for what might work in our Parish Center.