The building renovation project started!

Committee members worked very hard all year and had to make some tough decisions to help make that happen. Those members included: Linda Brandt, Jonathan Clowes (co-chair), Maryann Guernsey, Katherine Osborne, Dorothy Petersen, Joe Russano, and Brian Scheuzger (co-chair), plus of course, Rev. Nancy Duncan, and with help from the trustees (adding Raymond Anderson and Ron Davis to the group). And the whole thing would not have been possible without the trust, faith, and support of the congregation, the community, local businesses, friends, and our funding partners.

Thanks to Brian Scheuzger and Jonathan Clowes for the building update that was shared at the Annual Meeting. The project continues and should be completed in April. At the end of the project, the steeple and everything under it should be solid for the long haul. We will have a lift and ADA accessible bathrooms upstairs and down. Drainage around the building will be improved.

In our budgeting, we planned for contingencies which is a good thing as we've encountered rot and ledge and a few other surprises which has utilized most of the contingency funds. That is why it is always wise to set aside some money. We are still on budget but it is close. If people are able to pay off their pledges to the campaign early, we will be able to save some money in interest.

It is all so very exciting and will make our structure safe and accessible for generations. Deacons are starting to dream of thematic worship/vigil events to share with the wider community.

Take a narrated construction progress tour of Broad Bay Church as we near the completion
of our Phase 1 Renovations. The Video below was recorded between May 14 and May 16, 2020.

Construction Photos:

Here’s a summary timeline of 2019 for Broad Bay Church's Phase 1 Renovation project:

• January: Committee begins the process to complete and document the renovation with Barba + Wheelock Architects.

• February: Committee formally signs agreement for professional design services with Barba + Wheelock Architects and their engineering consultants.

• February - June: Committee meets several times with Barba + Wheelock to finalize their design drawings and with H.E. Callahan Construction Company to initiate the budget process. Committee also completes paperwork with the First Bank for a construction loan (to cover the cost of construction until all pledges are received within 3 years), as well as with the Maine Community Fund - Steeples Grant, and the National Fund for Sacred Places.

• June: Building Committee joins the Capital Campaign Committee in hosting the Community Block Party on June 22 to celebrate achieving our fundraising goal, with over $778,000 raised, including grants.

• June - July: Committee meets with Barba + Wheelock, and they complete construction drawings and release them to H.E. Callahan for final bidding and pricing.

• August - September: Unfortunately, due to the competitive bidding climate (subcontractors overbooked, lack of skilled labor, market conditions), preliminary bids come in significantly higher than anticipated. Committee and trustees meet several times with H.E. Callahan and Barba + Wheelock to strategize. Callahan re-bids some trades, some scope of work is eliminated (e.g., built-in cabinets), some scope of work is taken on by congregation (e.g., new exterior exit stair from sanctuary), some scope of work is refined by Barba + Wheelock, and (thankfully) some additional major pledges come in to accommodate the total project costs, which went up approximately $71,500 since February.

• September: After the service on September 29, the committee is pleased to present the final financial analysis to the congregation, stating that, as a result of the hard work and additional pledges, the project is a go. The committee explains that they will hold approximately $50,000 in contingency, which, if all goes well during construction, additional items can be added back into the scope, most notably the rotted timber sill along the annex wall under the sanctuary windows.

• October: A few additional pledges come in to help ensure that the full steeple work, including the bell cradle and roof, is included in the project. Committee formally signs agreement for construction management services with H.E. Callahan Construction Company. With the sanctuary and narthex closed off for pending renovations, the church moves Sunday services down to the fellowship hall. Callahan's crews commence the renovation project with demolition of the annex and several areas within the church narthex.

• November: Groundbreaking ceremony occurs on November 8. The bell is rung! Hallelujah!

• December: As of the end of 2019, demolition work is complete, the underground utilities are (mostly) installed, the new timber-frame pieces for the steeple are on-site, and the new concrete foundations under the steeple have been installed. What a year! If all goes well, the Phase 1 Renovation project will be complete by Easter of 2020. The Broad Bay Church Building Committee joins all of you in looking forward to that day. In the meantime, thank you for all of your patience and support!