The idea of a Community Center-type facility has been a vision held by many people at Third Reformed Church for a number of years. In the fall of 2005, a commitment was made to move ahead with planning a facility that could have a multitude of functions in reaching lost people for Christ.
A fundraising campaign was launched in the winter of 2006 to raise the necessary funds to build the new Community Center. Since that time the decision was made to take the first $1,000,000 raised and reduce the existing long-term debt of the church by that amount. All the remaining money that was pledged would then be used for construction of the Community Center facility without taking on any additional long-term debt.
The construction of this new $1.5 million Community Center began in March of this year and is tentatively scheduled to open December 1st with a grand opening scheduled in March of 2009. The total of the commitments made by members and friends of Third back in 2006 more than covers the projected cost of the facility. Any additional contributions that may be forthcoming would be used to upgrade certain features of the building that are possible the project moves forward to completion. Many individuals are making “donations of labor” to the project as well and this is making a significant difference in the final costs for the entire project as well.
Highlights of the Facility:
The proposed Community Center is a 24,000 sq. ft. facility comprised of a 17,000 sq. ft. first floor and a 7,000 sq. ft. mezzanine. The open and flexible design allows for interchangeability of virtually all of the floor space to accommodate the multi-purpose use of the Center.
When completed, the facility will include the following key features:
- Full wireless Internet capability.
- Over 4,000 sq. ft. of casual fellowship space for table games, meeting or general conversation.
- 2 new offices to be used by both Community Center and Ministry personnel.
- One regulation basketball court convertible for volleyball, gymnastics, aerobics, dance and other floor exercises.
- A 40 seat coffee bar and cafe.
Here are some of the key programs and groups that the facility is designed to accommodate:
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Anyone interested in learning more about the Community Center or wants to know about making a contribution, is encouraged to contact Ron VanderMeer and/or Jack VanSlambrouck, Co-Chairpersons of the It's Not About Me campaign for the Community Center or Chuck Palanca, Business Manager of Third Reformed Church.
