Sunnyside Building Renovation
In 1999, the Session of Sunnyside Church decided to address the needs of our church building. For many years very little had been done to upgrade the educational facility. Improvements were necessary.
Several committees were formed to address these needs.
The Building Program Committee developed a list of goals for improvements based on congregational input.
The goals developed were:
- Create a site/building plan that meets and serves the needs of the congregation and community.
- Improve building accessibility and life safety
- Expand fellowship space
- Group/centralize second floor educational space
- Relocate Jr/Sr High rooms near main entry
- Air Condition 1 st and 2 nd Floor
- Relocate Vocal and Bell Choirs to main level
- Improve building security
- Allow for efficient use of all spaces
- Maintain flexibility and allow for future change
In September 2001, a Building Task Force was appointed. Eventually MPA Architects were hired to develop a plan to assess our goals and develop plans for the church facility.
After several versions and renovations the congregation gave final approval to the renovation and addition plan as well as to the financial plan and capital campaign.
Ground was broken on July 4, 2004, and the project was dedicated on September 25, 2005.
The Addition consists of an entry plaza with seating and a ramp for wheelchair access, the Gathering Place on the First Floor, stairs and a balcony, the Witherspoon Meeting Rooms on the Lower Level, and an elevator connecting all levels.
One of the goals during design was to respect the character of the existing church building. Six large skylights and the windows on the east wall allow natural light into the Gathering Place, preserving the joy of natural light in our Sanctuary. The columns in the Gathering Place are intended to continue the theme of columns in the Sanctuary. Every effort was made in the new east wall to use materials and patterns that matched the existing portions of the church building. Brink and limestone were used on the outside of the Addition to match the brick and limestone of the Education Wing.
The Addition, while respectful of the original construction, incorporates many performance and safety improvements and modern technologies. Unlike the existing exterior walls of the church the new walls have insulation. The roof also has more than twice as much insulation as the existing roof. To help reduce noise levels in the Gathering Place sound absorbing panels cover the elevator shaft and the upper portion of the east wall. The entire Addition has its own heating and cooling system and fire sprinkler system. There is also a sound system in the Gathering Place. A variety of artificial lights provide light at night.
The 2005 renovation and addition project has exceeded our expectations, providing an updated facility that is used well for mission, ministry and community life in our church and wider community.
