Vista Grande Baptist Church: Freedom on Powers

Sanctuary Expansion Final Report

The Property Development Committee is pleased to report that not only was the auditorium expansion project completed ahead of schedule, but also with a cost under-run of $119,000! Praise God for our outstanding design-build team of RTA Architects and Colarelli Construction. We thank you all for your prayers, support, and patience.

Sunday School & Worship Transition Day - 3/13/11


We had our first worship services utilizing the new wings on Sunday, March 13, at our new times of 9:00 and 10:45 am. The sanctuary expansion project was completed 24 days ahead of schedule and we received the Certificate of Substantial Completion on February 25, 2011. A bond was issued to cover the landscaping, which will be completed in May, weather permitting.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 2.15.11


Everyone got a look at the new wings on Sunday, February 13. The exterior brick work has been finished. The new chairs are here and the ceiling tiles are in place. We anticipate an early completion date of 2/25.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 2.3.11


Brick work is done on the south side and in process on the west side. The stage floor is being varnished and work continues backstage. New carpet installation is complete and ceiling tiles for the wings are due in around 2/11. Click here to view the project schedule.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 1.27.11


The chillers have been placed on the roof. Drywall, taping and painting are progressing quickly in both wings and work continues on the stage expansion. The brick work is nearly done on the SE side. The new brick is primarily smooth, outlined with rough, to complement the existing walls.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 1.14.11 - 1.20.11


Things are moving quickly now! The temporary wall and stage doors on the south side have been removed. The wood floor on the stage has been extended. The temporary wall on the west side has also been removed. Exterior walls have been sheathed and insulation is sprayed. Brick work on the south side is beginning under plastic to keep the temperature up so the mortar will set properly. Roof decking is nearly complete.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 12.20 - 12.29.10

The walls, ceiling and window frames are in place on the south side. Exterior walls are framed and sheathed on the west side and roof installation has begun.

**Sanctuary Expansion Update 12.9.10 - 12.15.10**

Framing of the exterior walls is under way on both sides and the slab and stairs for the loading dock on the west side have been poured. Roofing has begun on the south side.

**Sanctuary Expansion Update 12.2.10**

Installation of the new 3800 pound support beam on the wall facing Stetson Hills has been completed. A temporary wall was built on the west side and the process was repeated. This interior work has been scheduled to keep interruption of services to a minimum.

**Sanctuary Expansion Update 10.28.10**

Ground has been excavated on the south side of the building next to Stetson Hills in preparation for setting forms and pouring the new foundation. A new concrete pad has already been poured on the west side. Once electrical is run, the cooling tower and chillers will be relocated.

Sanctuary Expansion Update 10.15.10

As you enter the sanctuary, you will see that the horizontal beams on the window walls have been exposed in preparation for the wing expansion. The horizontal beam will be replaced with a larger horizontal support beam that will allow the wall to be opened. Grading is taking place on the outside of both walls, and the cooling tower and chillers will be relocated.

Frank Davis of Colarelli with John and Scott

Sanctuary Expansion Update 9.30.10

On September 28, Colarelli Construction received authority to proceed with site preparation and foundation work. Work scheduled through mid-October includes relocating trees, installing foundation footings for the southeast wing, and installing mechanical pads for relocating the chillers.

**Site Prep begins - 10/6/10**

The Preliminary Construction Schedule (dated 9.30.10) is available as a PDF file and provides a detailed, color coded view of the construction schedule. Click here if you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Sanctuary Expansion Design Underway

The design phase of our sanctuary expansion project was kicked off on July 14, after a frustrating four-month delay in securing our construction loan from US Bank. On the 14^th, Property Development Committee representatives met with the architect, RTA, and design team members from Plant Engineering Consultants. The Design Document (DD) package is scheduled for completion by August 13; that package will allow Colarelli Construction to develop final pricing of the project. Construction documents are scheduled for submittal to Regional Building on September 10. We estimate two to four weeks for receipt of the building permit. This would allow for construction to begin in late September or early October. RTA is preparing a separate foundation package for Regional that will allow for an earlier start on the foundation work. Groundbreaking to occupancy, depending on weather and other unforeseen delays will be from 16 to 20 weeks.

Rod Billings, Chairman
Property Development Committee

Church Votes to Expand Facility

At the Special Called Business Meeting on March 14, 2010, the church voted on and approved the sanctuary renovation and wing additions as recommended by the Phase III Study Update Committee. We hope to worship in our expanded sanctuary by Thanksgiving. Thank you for praying and seeking for the Lord's will for our ministries and facilities.

Freedom on Powers 3rd Anniversary Celebration!

On Sunday evening, November 1, 2009, we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of our Freedom on Powers debt reduction campaign. We had commitments for $1.6M and we have received $1.54M in gifts as of 11/1/09.

As the testimonies indicated, we have much to celebrate. We are thankful to God for all He has done and to our members for their sacrificial giving in the midst of very trying economic circumstances. Click here to be encouraged by the message that J.R. Hite brought to us.

100% of the funds donated to Freedom on Powers have gone to principal reduction. This has resulted in interest savings of approximately $625,000. This figure includes the interest that would have been expended over the next five years.

While the formal campaign has ended, we invite church members to prayerfully consider continuing to give to Freedom on Powers. As we pay down our debt and save money on interest, we'll be in a better position to respond as God leads for future Phase III remodeling or expansion.

Freedom on Powers - the beginning


After a snowstorm on Thursday, an army of volunteers cleared out the snow on Friday. *Freedom on Powers* Commitment Sunday (10/29/06) was a great day in the Lord! The entire church family was able to worship together in a single service.

What is our Freedom on Powers Campaign?
Freedom on Powers is our special focus on Biblical principles of stewardship and obedience to God’s will in our giving above and beyond our storehouse tithing. It will lead to commitments of sacrificial giving over three years to pay down our building debt on a greatly accelerated basis. By rapidly paying down our debt, we will be financially positioned to proceed with expanding our facilities to meet ministry needs.

Additional Resourses:
Our files are presented in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Click here if you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Freedom on Powers

Fact Sheet
Questions and Answers
Freedom on Powers Brochure (6 pages)

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