Building / Rentals > Building Plans > Building Plan FAQs

Q & A -- Questions put to the architect (September 2009):

Q. How many seats are in the sanctuary now and how many are in the new plan?

The sanctuary can currently seat 200 to 250 people; in the new plan, there will be seating for 400 people.

Q. How many seats will there be in the new chapel?

Forty.

Q. What was the assumption about membership; how many members will this plan accommodate?

This plan will accommodate up to 1,000 members.

Q. Are there any expansion possibilities if we outgrow the new sanctuary?

There is some expansion possible to the north of the sanctuary.

Q. What about the mural in the sanctuary?

There are over 5,000 pieces in the mural, but we will be able to move it.

Q. What are some of the other rooms in the sanctuary?

Some of the rooms could be a cry room, a choir room, a candle closet, and a prep room for ministers.

Q. How many parking spaces are there now and how many will there be in the new plan?

Currently there are about 126 parking spaces; in the new plan there are 150.

Q. What are some other parking options?

We could make an agreement with the Ocean Restaurant, make neighborhood parking possible, or add a parking structure in the future.

Q. What is the purpose of the pre-function space in the site plan?

The space in the drawing noted as "pre function" will become the foyer and will be used to greet people. The welcome table will be located there, and the ushers will be there to guide people into the sanctuary. It could be a quiet area as well.

Q. Staging: how would we handle moving to the new RE building (in the Arnold and Wesson building’s space)?

The parking space directly east of the site would be used for staging. The access for the new flow into the campus would be completed before construction began.

Q. What’s the logic of dividing the RE functions?

The new RE building has adult meeting rooms as well as older children and teenage RE rooms. It separates the spaces, allowing for a courtyard / walkway for people to walk from the south parking lot to the sanctuary.

Q. What about La Puerta?

La Puerta would not need to move. Though they would lose about one third of their playground, they’d gain a new entrance and office space and they’d keep the playground behind the Arnold and Wesson rooms until the construction of the new RE building. When that building is finished, there would be a small playground on its south side.
Also, the La Puerta office could/would move to the new RE entry, but it would just be one office and the old La Puerta office would become RE space.

Q. What if we were to buy the ARC building?

This would have a major impact on the new RE building.

Q. What about the memorial garden behind the social hall? Will there be access? Are we going to preserve it?

We’ll leave the memorial garden where it is for now. If needed, we can knock the wall down later, build a new wall, and move the ashes.

Q. Where’s the wayside pulpit?

The plan is to have good signage on the building and signs for people to read as they pass by.

Q. Will the construction consider green building and sustainability issues?

Yes.

Q. How much is this going to cost?

The cost is $2.5 to $5 million. This is a long-range plan; Christine suggested 10 years.