Our Construction Site

December 2006

We are really moving forward now. Construction of the new building is now progressing at an incredible pace. The project was nearly two and a half months ahead of schedule when on that Friday morning 8 December we heard a large noise from the site. The flooring is constructed by placing large pre-cast concrete slabs called “Hollow Core Floor Slabs” which are manufactured off site and then lifted by crane into position. When the third slab was being lowered into position a miscue of communications between the supervisor and the crane operator resulted in the collapse of the scaffolding that supports the slabs until the concrete is poured. The floor slabs for the ground floor went perfectly but this one came crashing down causing some temporary damage but had absolutely no effect on the completed structure.

This accident came as a disappointment to all but when we really looked at the results all we all could see was God’s blessing. Only a minute before the collapse there were a couple people under where it came crashing down. Also the way the scaffolding failed, the slabs came nearly straight down which saved damaging of all the formwork that was already in place. This mishap set the project back slightly but not nearly as much as it could have.

Progress continues on. Lessons learned from the mishap have now been incorporated into the construction. Additional safety measures are now in place and everything is back to full speed ahead. The new walls were poured and new scaffolding put in place. Most importantly the entire main floor was tested for strength. Over 72 tonnes were placed on the new concrete main floor. The same instruments that were used to measure bearing capacity of the pilings then measured the amount the floor would move. It passed showing better strength than expected. Once again we are moving ahead now and everything is going well.

When all the new walls were ready and the scaffolding in place then the next floor slabs were brought in to the site and placed on the scaffolding. On 26 December this flooring was installed. The building at that point changed character again and is now beginning to look like the big building it is going to be. Now the process will repeat itself all over again. The formwork for the first floor will be constructed and we go higher. The picture to the right is fairly common now each time there is another delivery of materials and floor slabs. We have been limited to only able to close off the side street so that is what you see here.

Inside the new building wow that sounds like a new word in use. Inside the Ground Floor the scaffolding is still in place as is the scaffolding in the basement. To the right the scaffolding is seen at what will be the front of the main sanctuary. Where you see light right now there will be solid walls which will be the back of the pulpit area. In the floor of the pulpit is a large concrete basin right now that is to be the Baptistery. The underside of the floor above can be seen. This, later on will have a regular ceiling in it with everything built into place. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done but we now have a very solid constructed facility that will be a blessing to us all.

What a year this has been. We have gone from the Architects plans where we spent hour upon hour refining and modifying these plans to where we are today. God has blessed us in this year and He will continue to bless us as we continue to see this beautiful new building being shaped and molded right before our eyes.

An awful lot is yet to be done. The building is progressing very well and we must all do our parts to pray for this project and for the workers as they continue on creating this new building for us. We need your support in every way to bring this project to completion for the glory of our Lord and Savior.

May God bless each and every one of you in this coming New Year.