There are many who have contacted us at Family Life desiring to know what is taking place with the new ministry center in the Corning area.  We are so excited as the demolition of the building has now taken place and clean up has begun.  Soon the final stages of site work will commence getting the site ready for construction.

This entire project has been bathed in the most important things – PRAYER.  The Family Life team has been in constant prayer asking the Lord for discernment and wisdom on decisions regarding the future steps of construction.  One of those decisions was made last year by Family Life’s Board of Directors regarding the building originally purchased in 2016.  We feel it is important that you understand the reasons behind the decision to take down the building and start from the ground up.

After the completion of many on-site tests and after months of cost-comparisons and value engineering studies, Family Life met with the main construction firm (LeChase) and began evaluating their suggestion that we take down the entire existing building.  There were a number of select elements and key developments that aided in the decision to move forward with the contractor’s suggestion:

1. The height of the building was about 5’ too low to accommodate standard ceiling height and proper ductwork, both between 1^st and 2^nd floors and above 2^nd floor ceiling. With the space needed for mechanicals having to be compromised because the building’s height, this created future issues for the ministry in many respects.  This decision also allowed for the Town of Erwin mandate to keep as many air-handling systems off of the roof and non-visible from Interstate 99.
2. After geotechnical studies were done regarding sub-ground water level, it was determined that moisture could be a major issue for the basement area under the stage.  By taking down the entire building, a new design could incorporate raising the ground level by a few feet thus eliminating the sub-ground water issue.
3. By not having to accommodate an existing structure, the new design could move the entire building forward by about 20’ thus reducing the shadowing issues about which neighbors have shown concern while also allowing for additional storage area in the rear   of the building.
4. The original architectural design can be “mirrored” by not having to deal with an existing structure.  This will allow for the main entrance to be much closer to the main parking area.
5. Though the cost of material will be greater starting with a brand-new structure, cost savings associated with not having to accommodate an existing structure could produce a positive cost outcome, even with the cost of demolition considered.
6. The potential issues surrounding demolishing only a portion of the current building, which had been initially proposed, will be eliminated and the timeline for actual construction will no longer be dependent on partial demolition.

Family Life has been extremely blessed by the Lord as He has provided for each step of this project.  With the demolition of the building now completed, over $5,000,000 has been invested in the project thus far with every bill paid without any indebtedness.  We continue to pray for a miracle of the Lord to provide for the next steps of the building construction which we pray will commence in the spring/summer of this year.  We serve an awesome God who is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine by His power that is at work within us”!