Estimated completion for the entire project is the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.

Student and staff safety is our highest priority. Essential construction to begin the 2026-2027 school year has taken place this summer. Every effort will be given to minimize noise and distraction during the school day, while still being an active construction site. 

Updates are included in a Friday email that goes out to church members each week, and in the weekend worship bulletin.  Our worship bulletins each week are available online. 

As of August 2026, pledges (over three years) and one time gifts total approximately $7.2M towards our $8.6M goal.

Construction fencing has been added temporarily for safety purposes. We are making adjustments as we are able to maximize available parking.

Upon completion, the site plan includes 283 total parking spaces, 14 of which will be designated handicap-accessible.

There are no immediate plans to create a second entrance, although that is part of our long term plan.  

We currently have two active entrances: Door #4 (West Door) and Door #11 (East Door).

• Door #4: Please enter Door #4 during the week when visiting the church office, and also for worship on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
• Door #11. Please enter through Door #11 during the week when visiting the school office, as well as for worship on Sunday morning. (Note: If you enter through Door 11, please follow the north hallway to access the sanctuary.)

Final financial options and building timeline will be presented at a special congregation meeting in early 2026. If approved, documents and contractor bidding must then be completed before construction. Construction could potentially begin in late Summer 2026 with 14 to 16 months for the entire project to be completed by September/October 2027.

The Building Committee recommends the following priorities: 1) School Safety/School Office addition, 2) Music Wing addition, 3) Church Administration/Meeting Rooms addition, 4) Cafeteria addition. However, final priority decisions will be up to the congregation to determine.

The construction delivery method is not yet determined, but a local general contractor will be selected to complete our construction with the assistance of local subcontractors.

The addition of a cafeteria will provide additional room for incoming teams and fans before and after games. With removing the cafeteria tables currently lined up on the north side of the gym, there will be additional room on the gym floor for teams and fans. Also, locker rooms are included in this project as shown in the drawings.

Volunteer workdays for congregation members will be considered by the Building Committee and in coordination with the contractor.

Student safety and security will be of utmost importance. Major construction will occur during the summer school recess.

The current design includes two meeting rooms within the church office addition. There is also one meeting room included within the school office addition that could also be used for evening church meetings when not in use by the school.

There are currently 286 parking spaces, and 14 are handicap accessible. The proposed site plan has 283 parking spaces with 11 being handicap accessible. More study is planned on parking capacity.

The full building project will increase our square  footage by 21%. Maintenance and utility costs are expected to increase slightly less than this percentage with economies of scale and improved energy savings in the new and renovated areas. We may need to budget a 20% increase in utilities, maintenance fees, and insurance costs as the building project comes online.

As of June 2025, there is $194,010 in the Future Building Fund. We started the year with $240,008 in the fund and have received $7,943 so far this year in additional donations. We have spent $53,941 this year on consulting fees, architect, etc.

This is a question that only the congregation can answer, and it will be asked at the voters’ meeting after the first of the year. Depending on how much is raised through pledges in this capital campaign, we will have information to share on mortgage rates, potential loan amounts, etc. if necessary. Only the congregation can approve a mortgage for the church.

The design includes several security provisions, with more to be developed throughout the planning process. A few key provisions include:
• Dedicated entrances that increase visibility and are an external deterrent for people not needing access to the school.
• A secured vestibule at the school entrance that allows for safe visitor management.
• Administrative offices placed at the entryway for improved safety and hospitality.
• Private office space for positions that require emotional safety and trust
(i.e., administration, nurse, counselor, pastor, etc.).
• Extended care relocation, will ensure secure pickup and drop-off.
• A secured vestibule at the church entrance also enhances school security by improving church- side visitor management and access to shared spaces like the sanctuary.

We are currently exploring that possibility.

Yes, the music room will be shared by church choirs and ESM’s music program.