September 2024 Update
Over the summer, the Church Refurbishment Project funded by our “Seize the Day” campaign has continued to make steady progress. The Schematic Design phase of the Project was completed in June, and it has now moved into the Design Development phase. Our Architect, in consultation with the Property Development Committee and Project Manager, has prepared progressively more detailed site and floor plans and elevations, which have enabled the specialist engineers & consultants and our cost estimator to develop preliminary designs and cost estimates to support this phase of the work.
Following detailed measurement of the church structure, the structural engineers initially suggested the construction of an external steel frame to strengthen the roof to support the proposed “passive house” new building envelope. As this steel frame would be both costly and complex to construct, the PDC have requested the consultants to explore other options to strengthen the existing roof structure while improving insulation and durability, within the available budget, and that work is ongoing.
Similarly, the proposed extension to the north of the church, to house new offices, lobby, washrooms and basement meeting rooms, will also be quite costly for the overall project. The PDC, together with the Project Manager and Architect, are presently investigating other options and floor plans to refurbish the church, chapel and basement premises as contemplated for the project but substantially within the existing footprint of the main sanctuary building. This exercise is ongoing but promises to provide similar long term enhancements to the building and facilities through the creative and more efficient use of our existing space and structure. Again, a key consideration is to ensure that the overall Project remains within the available budget while delivering the expected outcomes.
The District of North Vancouver advised us this week that, following their revision of planning bylaws concerning single family housing lots in June, they are now reviewing our preliminary planning application to subdivide and rezone the rectory and portion of our parking lot. They will advise us of the outcome of their review in the coming weeks, at which stage we expect to be in a position to consider early marketing efforts of these lots for a future sale pending all Parish and other relevant approvals.
The PDC will provide a detailed update on progress to Parish Council when it meets later this month, after which we plan to hold the consultation meeting for all parishioners that was deferred in August.