The New Church Design Committee is grateful for the interest shown by parishioners in posing thoughtful questions expressed on the comment cards in the vestibule about the proposed new church. All are important. In the weeks to come the Committee will address as many as possible.

“Could we consider the possibility of adding a basement?”

 

This question was raised early in the design process. Much discussion has been devoted to this possibility. A decision has not been made, but the following points have been considered:

 

·     The parish needs a safe room in the event of an emergency such as a tornado that could accommodate large groups such as the school children or the CCD children.

·     The renovation of the present facility to provide such a space would be very costly.

·     Additional meeting or office space could be provided by a basement addition.

·     The cost to add a basement would be the same cost as adding additional above ground levels.

·     An evaluation of the soil composition and depth of the water table in our area needs to be done. Note that most of the homes in this area do not have basements due to the problems resulting from the soil composition and water table.

·     There are considerable technical challenges in the construction of a basement that can provide adequate strength to the above ground structure.