| To: The Catholic Community of St. Isidore | Oct. 28, 2007 |
The Expansion Task Force (ETF) heard you when you spoke to us via the Ketchum Canada Feasibility Study in the summer and again at the Annual General Meeting on Sept. 16. We learned that Plan A to expand the old church was prohibitive at a cost of $7.1 million and that in accordance with the KCI Study; Plan B at $4.2 million was also above our fundraising ability. The ETF agreed to return to parishioners with another consideration, which would probably involve removing the old structure. We subsequently requested Architect Ralph Vandenberg to draft a plan to build a new church on the existing site.
Shown above is a Ralph Vandenberg perspective of a 'new' church - not finalized.
On Oct. 15, after careful review of the architect's conceptual drawing and proposed costs, the ETF voted to recommend to parishioners that the existing church be removed and that a new church be built from scratch. In recognition of the significant heritage of the existing church and continuity with the historic St. Isidore parish community, the new church will incorporate all of the stained glass windows, the striking bell tower (steeple), and some of the old stone - all integral parts of the original structure.
The new plan is very aesthetically pleasing and is designed to seat 630 plus 40 in the chapel. The preliminary figure for new construction is $2.4 million. The estimate for soft costs - $800,000. Preliminary costs to demolish the old church and preserve the stained glass windows, steeple, and some stone are between $100,000 and $125,000. All figures have been provided in 2007 dollars. According to the KCI Feasibility Study this new plan to start-from-scratch is financially more realistic for our parish community.
We encourage you to join us after Mass on Sunday, Dec. 2 - 12:30pm
for a light lunch in the Parish Hall and further discussion on building a 'new' church.
The Catholic Community of St. Isidore - Expansion Task Force: Des Adam (Chair), Father Ross Finlan, Brian Ward,
Mike Green, Darlene Gollesch, Tom Hewitt, Reg Dion, Jerry Bellomo, Peter Durrell, Mary Carver.
Parish updates: http://stisidorekanata.com/