Rivertown United Reformed Church

6th January 2010

The windows in the worship area (10 large windows on the two side walls) will be replaced by double glazed units between 27th and 29th January. This will improve the insulation and we are expecting it to improve the heating capability. Early this year we will be visiting a reference site to look at heating units for the same area.

The storage area is ready for use - all is left to do now is construct our new shelving units - planned for this week - and to paint the outside of the walls and doors.

20th November

The consultation sessions, for those who attended, were very successful in that we took the opportunity to share ideas and understanding of what we are planning to do next with the worship area and porch. Whilst we recognised that Phase 4 will be a lot a money and currently out of reach financially the concensus was to proceed in faith. At the church meeting the following week a number of resolutions were accepted unanimously and are given below:

Resolutions to Church Meeting 15th November 2009

1. The meeting agrees that the building project team continues planning for Phase 4 which incorporates options for changing the worship area and porch including those as outlined in the meeting. Such options when fully explored to be presented at a subsequent church meeting for approval.
2. The meeting agrees that the building project team engages with community representatives, secular and ecumenical, to determine potential use for our premises.
3. The meeting agrees to the building project team engaging with the architect to draw up plans and budget estimates for Phase 4.
4. The meeting agrees that the building project team engages with Wales Synod to inform them of outline plans with regard to seeking further MDF grant funding.

The key features under consideration of Phase 4 are:

• extend the porch area to about double thre current size with large glass panels and glass doors both at the front and between the porch and worship area. This would offer an opportunity to use the space for drop ins and coffee/tea shop.

• include toilets, storage, prayer room and kitchen to the new porch/coffee area

• worship area layout, perhaps level floor and introduce sets for pews to provide more flexibility

In meantime we will continue with our changes - the storage space upstairs should be completed by end of the year; installation of new double glazed windows in the worship area is progressing and up to the detailed survey stage having accepted the tender. We have also received advice on new heating for the worship area and will be visiting a reference site (Vicars Cross Church) to check its suitability.

20th October 2009

We are currently gathering quotes for a new storage facility in the upper hall - this will be situated at the back of the room and provide enough space to meet our needs. We are also looking for prices to install double glazing in the worship area to improve our comfort and reduce heat loss before changing our heating system.

At the same time we continue to look forward to what is Phase 4 of our programme.

Since we completed the first phases we have a number of new users of the building with a few more in the discussion phase - so it is a promising sign that Rivertown is starting to meet community demand for facilities.

Phase 4 will include the worship area and the porch and although the project team have their own ideas and outline design in mind it is far from complete and is only at the 'thinking' stage. At our last meeting we agreed to have a Building Consultation Day; in essence this is an opportunity to hear the possibilities and also to listen to other peoples' views and concerns before we move into the next stage - getting a budget estimate for the work.

Given there is potential for making significant changes to both the worship space and porch it is important for all our members and friends to take this opportunity to come along and be involved.

We will have two sessions (you only need to pick one)and during the session the project team will outline the possible changes and how they improve both our own use and provide facilities for other users. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, input your own ideas or raise any concerns you may have.

The sessions are on:

Wednesday 4th November at 3.30pm to 5.00pm and again at 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Please come along.

27th September 2009

It's finished! We have the upstairs back and ready for use - it is fantastic! We can now provide more comfortable facilities to our existing 'users' of upstairs - Music & Movement; Pilots and Little Friends - with anew kitchen, improved lighting, heating, decor and more...

... come and see you will be amazed.

We can now offer a wide range of facilities and rooms for the wider community and we will soon be advertising what we have to offer. In meantime if you want to come and look or ask about using our premises please drop us an e-mail (via contact us).

Now where are we up to? Ah yes - Phase 4. More of that soon. In meantime keep Rivertown in your prayers as we seek the next steps God wants us to take.

3rd September 2009

Phase 3 has started. We only have the budget for the 1st part - to refurbish the existing facilities. This will include new windows (already complete), new heating and lighting, new kitchen and floor, plastering and general decoration. In all we will have a facility that will be much better than before and will enable us to offer the large space for a variety of users to add to those already looking forward to the changes - Little Friends, Pilots, Music & Movement and Junior Church. We expect the work to complete by end of September. 23rd July 2009

Phase 3 is on its way!

We have discussed Phase 3 with the architect and have now gone to tender. This phase will focus on the upstairs hall. The upstairs area consists of a small kitchen; small store room; stage; large floor space and at the back there is a tiered area. Drawings and associated comments can be viewed in our new meeting room.

The Church Meeting agreed to spend £20,000 on this Phase with the funding coming directly from a recent legacy. Synod have approved this spend.

This phase will refurbish the upstairs hall and depending on cost we will add some new facilities. For this reason this phase in 3 parts:

• Refurbish existing facilities
• Above plus removal of tiering and laying floor
• Above plus building new toilet facilities and rooms

Phase 3A - refurbish existing kitchen - ensure Fire Escape meets regulations - replace windows - install new heating - install new lighting, including spots for stage - increase number of power sockets - new floor covering - re-plaster and decorate ceiling and walls

If we cannot go to Phase B:

• build a barrier with gate, along front of tiering

Phase 3B

• remove all tiering from back of the hall
• make area load bearing
• lay floor at same level as existing floor
• floor covering
• make good plaster work

Phase 3C

• build two toilets
  • one suitable for disabled
  • one with baby changing facility
  • include shower cubicle
• build meeting room
• build store room
• rooms to have central heating from existing boiler
• floor covering
• decoration

We are expecting the tenders by 28th July and we would like to start the work in August.

----------------END of Update------------------

25th April

We've made it!

The back rooms are finished and Rivertown groups have started to use our new facilities - the level of excitement remains very high. One more thing is left to do - the platform lift will be installed in two weeks time and then all will be ready for the 'public' opening on Saturday 16th May at 10am. Please come along - see separate article.

On now to Phase 3 - watch this space. Will probably update in about 6 weeks time.

20th March

Work is progressing well. The project is a week behind schedule due to a number of unforeseen circumstances such as the amount of dampness that needed to be extracted using dehumidifiers! The rooms have taken shape and plastering was completed this week. The new kitchen arrived last week and fitting now started - we have had the kitchen layout checked by environmental health and they have confirmed it will meet hygiene standards for food preparation etc. Gas supply, 1st fit electrics and plumbing all finished. Coming weeks - kitchen completion; doors and final fit electrics and plumbing; painting and floor coverings. One issue to be resolved is fitting date for the new platform lift - will update when known.

23rd February

Phase 2 is well underway. All the demolition work is complete and the frameworks for the new layout is built. We have new windows and door and the old door is bricked up. Over the next two weeks we will see the first fit electrics and plumbing complete; the new damp proofing done and will then look forward to the new walls/plastering to finish off. We will have gas supply and meter about 3rd week in March. The phase remains on target.

15th January

Phase 2 will start on the 2nd February!

We have received confirmation that Rivertown will receive £50,000 grant from the Wales Synod Mission Development Fund and this mens we have all the funding in place to complete Phase 2. Our prayers are answered and we are blessed by the outcome of planning and seeking financial support.

In summary this phase includes:

• new toilets including accessible toilet; with a cloakroom to include baby changing facilities
• new layout of rooms will include a new lobby (moving the back door to a more central position);
• large meeting room; store room; 'cleaner's room';
• extended kitchen/cafe area with a partition to enable this to split into two rooms;
• lift platform to provide access from church
• new lighting, doors and flooring;
• central heating (with a boiler big enough to heat upstairs when we are ready)
• new windows on the ground floor.

This exciting news and we will look forward to the new rooms and layout; our current thinking is to hold a special 'open weekend' over the Easter period - more of that later - after we have planned it!

Worship will continue throughout the building work but the rear of the building will be inaccessible. We are currently working with the user groups to determine what we can do to ensure they continue.