Have a Question? Get an Answer!
Below are several of the most Frequently Asked Questions that we have been hearing. This will be a continually growing list, so please feel free to check back here from time to time to see what is new!
Do you have a question that is not in the list below? If so, please contact a member of the Parish Communications Committee and we will do our best to get an answer for you.
New Items:
- When will we begin construction?
As soon as we sign a contract, our general contractor, CM Company, can begin work. They will most likely start in late-February or early-March depending on weather.
- When will the church be completed?
If we start as planned, the church will be substantially complete by February/March 2013.
- What is the cost of the new church?
The project budget is $5.17M. This is the best price we received from the five bidding contractors.
- How will we pay for the new church?
We currently have about $3.5M in cash. Generous gifts and pledges continue to come in. We expect to have about $4M in cash by the time the church is finished. It has always been our goal to build a new church without taking on any debt. Therefore, we need to raise the $1M shortfall this year. Whatever shortfall we have by the end of the year will need to be covered by a loan from the Diocese, for which we are already approved.
- What will happen to the current property?
Once the new church is finished, we will need to sell our current property to move forward with Phase 2 of our project: the education and social hall building. The current property has been appraised and listed for sale. We are waiting for a good offer, but will not move out until the new church is completed. The school will be built on the new property as part of Phase 2 of the project as soon as we have the money. Proceeds from the sale of the current property would be used to fund the new school. The school will continue to operate throughout the project.
- Will there be a groundbreaking ceremony?
Yes! Fr. Jerry has set aside the weekend of February 18th as the official groundbreaking. The ceremony will occur at the site of the new church and will include the general contractor and Bishop Mike (schedule permitting).
- What parts of our current church will be re-used in the new church?
All of the treasures that we can move will be taken to our new church. These include all of the statuary and sacred art, Stations of the Cross, the main crucifix and Risen Christ, stained glass, bell, tower cross, and cornerstone. Items such as the cornerstone and stained glass will be replaced so that the current church can continue to be used.
- When will the education building (school) be constructed?
The education building is included as part of Phase 2 of the project. This phase consists of a basic education center, social hall, and administrative offices. The social hall will be used for all church and education-related functions and will include a full kitchen. The education center will be used as the school and as classrooms for RCIA, SPY, RE, Boy Scouts, and all parish education programs.
In order to build Phase 2, we will need money from the sale of the current property. If at all possible, we will arrange with a buyer to continue to make use of the school building while Phase 2 is being built. If that cannot be arranged, we will consider other options, such as modular units, to hold classes at the new property until the education center is complete. Modular units are commonly used by schools during remodeling and construction projects.
- When will the school be built?
The building project is taking place in phases. Phase 1 is the church being built and the school will be built after Phase 1 is completed. A committee is being formed that will help execute the school's planning phases when the time comes.
- What happens to our current facility while we are building the new one?
Until we sell our current facility, we will have full use of it, even as the new church is being built. This includes the parish offices, the church itself, Dempsey hall, and the school.
- How can we get information on the progress being made in this project?
Saint Paul's website is a great resource for this: www.stpaulnampa.com. The new parish designs are currently up on the website, as are the names of the committee chairs who are happy to answer any questions you might have.
- How can I make my voice heard?
By talking to any of the committee chairs, who are listed on the parish website. Additionally, a comment/question box has been set up at the back of the church so any member of the parish has the opportunity to make their voices heard.
- Has the internal design been finalized?
The layout of the church has been defined and the internal design details are in the process of being fine-tuned.
- Who is making all the decisions?
In 2002, a steering committee was formed. It is still in place and has been compiling the needs and wants of the parish through the subcommitte process and the Parish Program, which includes all the information gathered 8 years ago.
- Who is on the steering committee?
Jeff Agenbroad, Cecilia Ashinhurst, Rusty Boicourt, Cecilia Flores, Father Jerry, Dan Jones, Chencho Quezada, Markus Schlegel, Brad Tanberg.
- How much will this cost?
The estimated budget is $4.1M. This will be refined into a hard number during the bid process.
- Will there be a loan to repay?
No. We anticipate having adequate funds in cash by Summer 2012.
- Why don’t I get a say it what goes on and the design?
You do, in fact your involvement is critical. But it requires effort: On the church web site http://www.stpaulnampa.com/ is a list of the committees with contact information for the chairmen, you are invited to join any of those committees and contribute to the progress.
- Why is there no information available on the progress?
At any time during the process, questions may be directed to the parish office or the communication committee (Sue Hamilton): 466-0253. Also the Steering Committee will make monthly progress reports using the church bulletin, website, flyers, and Mass announcements. These will occur on the 4th Sunday of each month.
- When will the school be built?
A school committee has been formed and the school needs are being programmed now. The school concept design will also be included in the Master Plan. Construction of the school will commence when adequate funds are identified. All options for funding are presently on the table.
- What has happened to all the plans made before?
The design has been scaled down and simplified to match our budget. The original concept floorplan is no longer valid, but all planning, programming, and other design elements and ideas are still being used.
We are in Phase I of the building process. Our present church and school took many years spanning several generations to finish. In the same way this building project will take time to complete. All in God's time.