Sweeping the Float

July 14, 2010 -

Our parking lot repairs are nearly completed!  This spring we elected to do some major parking lot work.  The cracks were getting worse each summer and we had to take action before we lost the option to simply repair the parking lot verses replacement of the whole thing! 

The final steps are for to sweep off the "float".  (Float is the rock laid on top of the oil seal coat that does not end up sticking into the oil.)  Then we paint the stripes and kickball diamond back on the parking lot.

This repair was costly.  It was nearly $25,000 to have the work done!  If you appreciate having the parking lot available and in condition to serve us for year to come - please consider a donation toward this expense!  Remember it is our parking lot. :-)

Chad sweeping off the excess float.

Final Inspection - Restrooms

June 16, 2010 -

We are so close to done with the Phase 1 Restroom project!  There are only a few details to take care of and we will hopefully be able to open them and the main entry this weekend!  All we need is the final inspection from the city building official!

George helping out with the construction clean-up!

Parking Lot

- Before -

June 9, 2010 -

Parking lots are a little bit like roofs.  They require maintenance and sometimes fairly major maintenance.  Fortunately, our parking lot is in good condition overall.  We have noticed increased cracking and deterioration, so we made the choice to do some needed preventative maintenance.  We have had the cracks ground out and filled.  Today the majority of the parking lot is being oiled and rocked.  The contractor will be back in a week or so to do some patching and then we will re-stripe the parking and playground lines.

Please do not drive on the parking lot until Friday June 11th.  Parking is available on High Street and the gym door on that side of the building is open for all to use.

- During -

It's That Time of Year!

June 2, 2010 -

School is almost done for the year!  Only 1/2 a day tomorrow and the students are off for the summer.  That means it must be time to wax the floors in the class rooms!  Sorry about all the tables, chairs, desks and all sitting in the hallways.  It is temporary.  All those items will go back into the class rooms soon.

Freshly waxed floor in Head Start Classroom.

The End is Near!

The Women's Restroom (the partitions are invisable!)

May 28, 2010 -

It is hard to believe that a month has passed since the last update.  We have been working in the restrooms daily, but there really has not been a lot to report until now.  The tile is in - the counters are in - the painting is going on all this weekend...  We have some plumbing and electrical to finish up next week.  Plus, the entry hallway itself needs to be fixed up before we can open it up again.

We are still on track for our planned June completion!  We hope to have things wrapped up and the new restrooms open by Sunday June 27th!

Tile

April 30, 2010 -

The floor tile is almost all installed!  Just two more weeks and the wall tile should be done as well as the grout.  Part of the reason it takes so much time is the cure times for the tile adhesive are nearly 3 days.

The second half of May we will install the fixtures, paint the walls and clean it all up!  It looks like we are still on track for our June completion date.

Details

April 14, 2010 -

We are nearing the part of the project where the work that is being done will remain visable when the project is done!  It is amazing how much goes into portions of the construction that you can't ever see again once the project is completed.

Since the last update, all of the sheetrock and cement board has been installed, the drywall finishing work has been completed, the walls have been primed, the exhuast duct work has been installed, and the ceiling grid has been installed.  This week the new lights will be installed and the tile installation is starting!

Sheetrock'n

March 18, 2009 -

One might think today is St. Patrick's Day with all the green walls going up in the new restrooms!  (This photo is taken from the hallway looking toward the Men's restroom door.)

Don't worry - the walls are NOT going to be green when we are done.  They are actually special sheetrock that is designed to be reistant to mold, mildew, and other fun stuff that can grow in wet places. 

We've Been Framed!

March 10, 2010 -

The project is moving along very well!  After some delay on the materials delivery the framing is nearly done.  The majority of the space should have framed in walls by the end of the week.

The Walls Between Us!

March 3, 2010 -

Differentiation is a very good thing, especially when it comes to restrooms! The Thooft’s have got good start on the framing in the restrooms here at Grace Life Church! Unfortunately, we are still waiting on the 6” steel studs to arrive at True Value. Once they come in (hopefully today) we can finish up the framing and bring the plumbers and electricians in to finish up their parts of the project!

Finished Concrete!

March 2, 2010 -

The concrete is done! The space looks like a clean slate. It's ready for some creation now that the destruction and underground infrastructure are installed.

The materials are still not all in at True Value, but there is enough of it on hand to start. If all goes well we will see the framed in walls by the end of the week!

Concrete

March 1, 2010 -

The concrete floor is back in!  Bofferding Construction arrived this morning and poured the concrete in above the areas where the sewer piping was installed last week.  After we give the floor the rest of today to cure, we can start installing the walls.  The Thooft's will be in to start on that tomorrow morning assuming the necessary materials arrive from True Value.

Plumbing Rough In

February 23, 2010 -

The demolition is basically done!  The final wall came out yesterday. 

We were pleasantly suprised to see what great condition the existing sewer piping is in!  The plumbers are working today to rough in the sewer plumbing that will run under the concrete.  By early next week we will be puting up the framing for the walls.

Let the Plumbing Begin!

February 5, 2010 -

The MN Dept. of Labor and Industry finally sent back their approval on the plumbing drawings! Waiting on the plans delayed us one week, but now we are back on track! Look for new updates as we finalize permits and start to rough in the plumbing later this week!

Phase 1 - Restroom Remodel (Main Entry)

February 1, 2010 -

Grace Life Church has started Phase 1 - Main Entry Restroom Remodeling. The plan is to eliminate the two small main entry restrooms as well as a third small restroom located in the former KinderChurch room and rebuild two large restrooms designed to accommodate the needs of the building users. Our goal is to improve not only the quantity of fixtures, but also to make the restroom facilities much more accessible to all of our building users.

The target completion for this project is June of 2010. Until then please follow the posted signs to alternate restroom facilities through out the building. Additionally, we may need to close the main entry during the demolition and construction project. Please use the MACS entry located directly across from the main entry door. We apologize for the temporary inconvenience as we work on improving the usefulness of this facility for all!

Thank you!