This edition of Construction News contains the following articles: "Covenant Incurs Fire and Smoke Damage", "Recovering from the Fire", "Impact on Turner's Construction Schedule", "Impact on Covenant's Schedule", "Where Does the Covenant Preschool  Go When the Children's Wing Is Not Available?", "Covenant Ramps Up!!". 

Covenant Incurs Fire and Smoke Damage

As most of you know, there was a fire in the sanctuary on Friday, September 19.  While the damage from the fire was not major, the smoke and soot got into every nook and cranny of every part of the church.  Because of possible carbon monoxide levels and also the smoke fumes and soot, the entire building was declared off limits. 

Recovering from the Fire

Our insurance agent contacted a fire recovery company and their crew began cleanup activities the same day.  The preschool wing was the first priority with Fellowship Hall and the church offices next in line.  The Preschool will open tomorrow (September 29) as will the church offices in the Chapel.  Fellowship Hall and the kitchen will be available on October 12 (Fellowship Hall will actually be available for the runoff election on October 7).   The Adult Education cleanup will begin October 6 and the classrooms should be available for classes on October 19.

Impact on Turner’s Construction Schedule

Will Turner have to stop work while clean up takes place?  The answer is “No”, although they will not be able to go into all areas at once.  Certainly, construction on the new building is unaffected by the fire.  Work in the basement and the new Music rooms can continue during cleanup.  The new bathrooms in the children’s wing will open shortly.

Impact on Covenant’s Schedule

What does the fire and cleanup mean to Covenant’s schedule of events?  The Children’s and Adult Sunday School Classes will not resume until Sunday, October 19.  Wednesday Night Alive programs will start up again on October 22.  Church services (one service at 10:00) at Randolph School will continue through October 5.  We will be back in Fellowship Hall for two services on October 12.  The Sanctuary will not reopen until cleanup and remodeling, including reinstallation of the pews, organ, and audio/visual system are completed.  We anticipate that the first services in the Sanctuary will be on Christmas Eve.

The original remodeling schedule had already impacted the 2008 Advent celebration; it appears that more changes will be forthcoming.  The Advent Planning committee will be meeting this coming week to discuss the situation.

Where Does Covenant’s Preschool Go When the Children’s Wing Is Not Available?

Good question!!

Like every other part of Covenant’s physical plant, the Children’s Wing was declared unusable after the fire.  Rather than shut down completely, Beth Vest and the preschool staff, came up with a different plan.  With full support and cooperation of the preschool’s parents, the 3- and 4-year old classes met at Monte Sano State Park Monday through Wednesday for activities including hiking, while the two-year olds met with teachers Jennifer Carden and Dottie Hicks at Jennifer’s home.  On Thursday, the four-year olds went on a field trip to Botanical Gardens.

Preschool will be back in its usual place beginning Monday, September 29.  The staff would like to thanks the parents for their support during this difficult time and for providing transportation.

Covenant Ramps Up!!

When construction of the new building began, some handicapped parking spots were lost as was wheelchair access to the Education wing.  Covenant’s ramp building team, which normally builds ramps for use at residences, was asked if they could construct a permanent ramp at the south end of the Education wing.  Bob Barnes and Fred Prater designed the ramp, and then they, along with Dick Cannon, Carroll Dailey, and Sam Pendleton built it.  And thanks to Turner Universal for helping with site prep!