Renovation Update – December 19, 2021

We have reason to be joyful this last week of Advent!

Work has continued in many parts of our building from the sanctuary to the hallway downstairs—and outside as well on exterior steel exit stairs, doors and hardware. Much of it has been finishing work: interior wood doors and hardware, sanctuary tile laying and sealing, light switches and fire alarms. The kitchen is done with the new range, fridges and sanitizer installed and hooked up.

All photos were taken on Friday, December 10, 2021, by Kevin Gue. To view the thirteen previous updates, see our Renovation Updates page at: https://www.spiritofhope.ca/renovations-update

This photo, and the one following, show how well the sanctuary flooring has come along. With all the Tyndall Stone tile now in place, the space is beautiful and resonant. This photo is taken from the back of the sanctuary, looking towards the chancel where hardwood flooring will be installed next. 

Here is a photo (looking towards the back of the sanctuary and out into the main foyer area) showing the last of the Tyndall Stone flooring being laid. It will take at least one more week to finish sealing the stone (four coats in total), grouting and base. 

The side feature wall has been completed.

Backlighting of the stained-glass panels of the side and front feature walls will be installed using scaffolding.

In a designated room behind the chancel, shelves and other storage elements have been built for the choir, handbell choir and worship supplies. 

The aspen tree wall motif behind the Welcome Desk is complete.

More millwork (shelving and counter) has been done in the main floor café area. Most of the carpentry work throughout the building has been completed. 

Here is the Community Stair and associated gathering levels (on the right). Tiling on the stairs has been completed. You can see that the Lower Hall ceiling is complete with new lighting and sprinklers. The difference that the modern light fixtures make is remarkable.

The kitchen is done and has been inspected by the designer. The new range, fridges and sanitizer are installed and hooked up now. It looks fantastic and durable; designed to be safe and functional as the members of our user group were requesting. This view is from the right corner (“dish pit”) looking over the food preparation island to the refrigerators in the back corner. You can glimpse the new range in the top right corner of the photo.

Here is our new range.

With the work that remains, we continue to anticipate that we will be able to receive an occupancy permit and access to the sanctuary early in 2022. Stay tuned for confirmation of opening day.

Meanwhile, our live-streamed Sunday worship services will continue in the gym, with our minister, choir members and other worship leaders present—and in-person attendance encouraged according to our special gathering protocols.

We extend an enthusiastic and deep THANK YOU to the many people who have worked together onsite over the past nine months to transform Spirit of Hope United Church’s renovation plan from vision to reality. What an extraordinary group of people with a multitude of skills, great teamwork, adaptability, on-the-spot problem solving and sheer determination and hard work! Our very best wishes to each of you for a blessed holiday time and a prosperous and healthy new year.