At the quarterly business meeting on Sunday, May 17, 2009, the church voted to go forward with an extensive renovation project that will make changes to our facilities to enhance our ministries to preschoolers and children and outreach. Brookwood's Strategic Planning Team was chosen by the church to lead the project. This team consists of members Peggy Faircloth, Hobart Grooms, Price Hightower, Dale Lloyd, Scott Rester, Jim Owens, Doug Rigney, Merritt Rogers, Teresa Howell, and Sandra Turner. Tim Clark is the staff facilitator.
The project includes renovations to the first floors of both Buildings A and C to place all children's activities on one level to enable a higher level of security. With these changes, the Early Childhood Center (ECC) will be housed on one level with its main entrance at the west portico. The administrative offices of the ECC will be located at that entrance, and classrooms will be located all along the 100 hall of Buildings A and C. (Note: During the renovation, the ECC will use the Student Outreach Center (SOC) for the classes that occupied the first floor rooms.) In addition to preschool classrooms, there will be an indoor play room and assembly area.
The courtyard located in the middle of the church property will be turned into a playground. There will also be renovations in the kitchen and fellowship hall. A second elevator will be added on the west side of the breezeway that will allow access to three levels of the facilities.
There will be renovations made to the main foyer entrance of the church to make a more attractive "Welcome Center." The entrance hall will be widened and will utilize the space currently used as an office and library. The library will be moved to the back area of the chapel. The offices at the rear of the chapel will be relocated to the "attic" area above the main office suite. The chapel will be reconfigured for classrooms and worship/drama space for "tweens" -- grades 4-6.
The project includes some renovations to the Sanctuary and restrooms, and signage.
Projected timeline shows the project beginning in early June and completion by year's end, with a special dedication service in January 2010.
Contractor for the job is Gary C. Wyatt General Contractor, LLC. CTSM Architects drew the plans. Both firms are based in Birmingham, AL.
This drawing shows the changes to the main entrance of the church to make a "Welcome Center" and the changes to the chapel to allow for classrooms for children and a worship/drama area. Note that the main entrance hallway will be widened and there will be more "gathering space."
This drawing shows where the new preschool playground wil be located in the former courtyard area.
This drawing shows modifications made to the stage area of the sanctuary. It also shows where an elevator will be installed. (There is already one elevator in Building C that serves its three levels.)
The graphic below shows how the entire first floor level of both Building A and Building C will be modified and renovated to place all children's classes, including the Early Childhood Center (ECC), on one secure level. The main entrance to the ECC will be located at the west portico. ECC administrative offices will be just inside the door on your right. Beyond the main entrance, classrooms for children will follow.
The west portico area will be made more attractive with a sign that indicates it's a place for kids!
