Update 8.31.09

GROUNDBREAKING! Hopefully you were with us yesterday to celebrate the groundbreaking for Phase 2 of our facilities. What a special time as we focused on our mission to 'go and make disciples' and the role of building in that mission. The first part of the service was in our sanctuary but then moved outside where an excavator awaited. The big machine roared to life and broke ground right in the middle of the area that will be the gymnasium / ministry center just over a year from now. We brought flags to the piles of dirt that carried the names of people in our lives that we are asking God to use PCC to reach and envelope in our community.

Update 8.24.09

We have a bulldozer! First one on site as we prepare for the ground breaking this Sunday.

Update 8.21.09

And the banks said....APPROVED! We heard from both banks late yesterday that our request for financing has been approved. This is enough to get the contractor started while we work out the best deal and sign the paperwork. The official groundbreaking will occur next Sunday (Aug. 30) during both morning services. This coming week the site contractor will start mobilizing and getting equipment on the site. All of the playground equipment has been dismantled and we will be closing down the back yard after this Sunday.

A couple of related news items and green lights

• we've received a permit to put backlit lettering on the side of our building facing Victory Boulevard that says 'Peninsula Community Chapel'. This is something we've been pursuing for a couple of years and we've needed for a long time - a way for people passing by on Victory Blvd. to identify what we are. These letters will be installed in a couple of weeks.
• our new playground equipment has been ordered and we are hoping to have it installed and ready by the home group fair / fall fest on Sunday, Sept. 13. Stay tuned for more on that.

Update 8.12.09

We have a contractor's trailer on site now! Yes... it isn't pretty... but it's PROGRESS! Financing is the thing that we're waiting on now. Both banks initially projected Aug. 20th as the date that we would hear. After sending some requested information to one of the banks, the reply came back "Thank you, I am trying this week for an approval." Keep praying!

We also had a great work day on Saturday that accomplished a couple of the major things we are responsible to do before the contractor starts: remove the stage section of the deck and move our temporary sheds out of the way. The playground is scheduled to be disassembled and moved this Saturday and the lawn shed will be moved sometime in the near future. Things are happening!

Update 8.6.09

Approved! In June 2007, we hired a civil engineer to begin work on a site plan for our facility expansion. Today at 9:45AM I arrived at York County's Environmental Services offices to pick up a set of drawings that had the long awaited 'approved' stamp and signature on them. Rejoice with us in this major milestone accomplishment!

Update 8.5.09

If you missed the services this past Sunday, you missed the good news of the 'green light'. The board of elders met last week to discuss the construction bid prices that we received the previous week from several general contractors. The elders emerged from that meeting sensing God's leading to build the entire structure - base bid and all alternates. This past Thursday we were able to give the contractor, Oyster Point Construction, the green light to build it all.

We are still waiting on the green light from York County regarding the site plan approval but it's close. All of the i's have been dotted and t's crossed. They have been promising that it will come this week - just waiting on York County's head engineer's signature. It's close.

Another green light that we are working on is the financing that we need for the project. Now that we have firm numbers, we are working with a couple of banks to secure the best possible arrangement for this project. Pray for these meetings.

Oyster Point Construction has told us that when we get the green light from York County and a bank on financing, they will be out within 24 hours to start. The next few days and weeks you will start to see signs of the impending construction. Some things will start to get moved around in the back yard as we move things out of the way of the construction zone.

Join us this Sunday (August 9) in room 201 at either 9AM or 10:45AM to hear more about what is going on. Members of the building committee and elders will be there to answer your questions and give you the latest update on the progress.