BUILDING COMMITTEE UPDATE - APRIL 30, 2023

Christ Our Redeemer (COR) hosted a Building Committee Update after weekend Masses on April 29th and 30th. All parishioners were invited to participate. COR bookkeeper Ross Maple introduced Pat Ballasch from the Destin firm DAG Architects and Mike Morette from Pensacola-based Morette Company. Pat oversees the architectural design and Mike serves as the general contractor.

The following notes include information presented by DAG Architects, Morette Company, and COR Finance Council chairman Don Wilke during each presentation, along with comments, questions, answers from those who attended.

The architectural design process began with looking at the origin of the building project, followed by interviewing staff members, ministry and organization leads for use in determining the most effective and efficient methods of accommodating current needs while also anticipating future needs. The data collected showed the frequency and complexity of reconfiguration activities required between events in the existing space; Pat noted the amount of effort required to transform the space. Based on the information gathered, constructing a new building that accommodates a larger event and gathering space, additional meeting rooms, storage spaces, kitchen, and administrative offices for our growing faith community, along with dedicated spaces for bereavement and pastoral care, addresses the needs of our growing parish community.

The new building will serve our parish, will be accessible to everyone and the renovated parish hall will provide a secure space for religious education (RE) and youth ministry (YM). The construction and renovation projects will allow other parish activities during RE classes and YM programs. The renovated RE building will include a dedicated space for a new diocesan program called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; a Montessori based Atrium will allow our youngest parishioners to explore our Catholic faith traditions in a hands-on way.

Assessment of the master plan determined that Lake COR, the adopted name for the ground in front of the parish hall, is not a stormwater pond. The new building will be visible from White Point road and Mike Morette notes that Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction provides energy efficiency and creates a durable, hardened exterior with significant protection against severe wind events.

The architects are working with Okaloosa County for development permits, and parishioners likely noticed red survey flags on the property. The County introduced two unexpected hurdles which require a full survey of the entire property and a full review of the wetland’s delineation. DAG personnel are working with McKim and Creed engineers, surveyors and planners on the survey. 

The project entered the schematic design and engineering phase in April 2023. As good stewards of the generosity of our parishioners, Pat Ballasch and Mike Morette will ensure building campaign funds are used for quality materials and products, letting us know what we can afford and prepared to inform us when items exceed our budget. They reviewed the master plan, determined existing parking and stormwater management to be suitable for these construction plans.

Finance Committee chairman Don Wilke presented an update on the financial aspects of the building project, commending the building committee and architect for their efforts in gathering data so that we are good stewards of parishioners’ donations.

The original Engage, Reengage, and Commit capital campaign, a.k.a. Engage, goal of $1.5 Million over 3 years was achieved, and there is currently $2.0M in the building fund. The current project has a proposed cost $4.5M with the new building value at $3.6M and renovation amount of $900K. The diocese approved moving forward with the project and recommends hosting a Mini-Capital Campaign (MCC) to raise $500K to make the “debt service” more manageable.

Each parish family is asked to make a sacrificial financial commitment to the project. Your prayerful consideration and financial support is greatly appreciated. The total amount of your Engage, Re-Engage, and Commit and Mini-Capital campaign donations are tax deductible and annual tax statements are available upon request during tax season.

Parishioners are invited to fill out a pledge card, place a check in a green Engage offertory envelope, or give online. Your dedicated prayers and financial contributions truly make a difference. Thank you for your continued generosity!