UPDATES IN THE BALCONY

“What is this I hear of ANOTHER renovation project at church?  I thought we were finishing up projects!”

The original project scope was limited to organizing audio/video and computer network cables and providing a better distribution of electrical outlets (eliminating the need for so many extension cords and inter-connected power strips). It expanded quickly when the team realized we had other issues to solve “while we were at it.”

Actually, the project to renovate the balcony railing has been in the making for nearly three decades. When the church was first built the balcony included six more pews. These were removed and “inserts” put in place creating larger flat spaces for things like handbell tables and the sound system. The result: the railing was too short.

In fact, compared to current building codes, the railing was too short to begin with!  When originally constructed the top of the rail was 36” off the finished floor, which is sufficient for residential construction, and commercial code requires 42”. 

In the past several weeks volunteers have:

• Added a 12” high addition to the front wall of that balcony, 
• Reinstalled the wrought iron railing, 
• Re-routed audio and computer cables, and
• Installed recessed lighting under the balcony.

All of this work will make the balcony area safer for those in the front area who are running the livestream and for Sue (and other musicians) when they are using the space.

As Project Welcome continues, you will be able to see the new from the old, but lots of efforts have been made to help make it difficult to distinguish what was changed and what has always been there.

If you would like to contribute towards the costs of these projects, you can make a donation and simply write ‘Project Welcome’ in the memo line.