St. Gabriel Catholic Church at 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 US - FACILITIES FUND INFORMATION

Facilities Update:                                                     

This is an update of the projects started last spring.  The funding came from the Facilities Fund, DSA Rebates, Restricted (to these projects) and Christmas Wish List Donations.  These projects are items that are an investment into the parish.  The check marks indicate the items that have been completed.  The following is a brief explanation of the expenditures and the reasoning behind each decision:

1.       $283,000 is being spent on the Parking Lot in the area where St. Michael Building stood.   This will increase our parking by 87 spaces.  The cost includes over $100,000 due to the City requiring storm water detention to meet current City Standards.  Parking across the street is not currently available to St. Gabriel parishioners.

2.       80,000 approximately - Water proofing and drainage of the foundation and sealing of the exterior walls of the Parish Center per recommendation of the Building Committee.

ü       $59,000 is the cost to repair and the parking in front of the Parish Center (School).  Diocese of Charlotte Facilities Staff required this repair because of potential safety hazards.

ü       $240,000 approximately has been spent on the remodeling of the 2^nd floor of the Ministry Center. This is accommodating the previous waiting list for our preschool or Cradle.  The program will repay these funds within 3 to 4 years.  This expansion is an example of the St. Gabriel ministry philosophy to provide a variety of programs to our parishioners.  Additionally, research has shown that early involvement in church life produces ongoing participation.   The items remaining to complete are the punch list and final invoice.

ü       $90,000 is the cost to finish the empty space under the gym in the Parish Center.   This will be utilized by our Youth Group including Boy & Girl Scouts and will provide much needed additional storage space for several other ministries.  The 2005 DSA Rebate was designated for this purpose.

ü       $48,000 is the cost to replace the sound system in the Church.   This solution should last anywhere from 15 to 20 years and will be able to accommodate many different needs.  Its usage will be enhanced with training.

ü       $19,000 is the cost to refurbish all church bathrooms, which have not been upgraded since the church was built.

ü       $16,000 Guardian Angel Memorial – for our unborn children and our children who have died before their 18^th birthday.  This reflective area and memorial is near the Preschool Playground.

Long Term Project and Cost Estimate Over Next Five Years Include:

Ø       Engineer for evaluation of the HVAC – Parish Center - $50,000

Ø       HVAC System – Parish Center, Repair $250,000 Replacement $1,200,000

Ø       Roof – Parish Center $300,000

Ø       Carpet – Church   $75,000

Ø       Carpet – Parish Center First Floor $100,000

In a pursuit to remain a vibrant and growing parish, it is important to build on and maintain what we already have in order to continue to serve you and other ministry projects.  We selected projects that would benefit the majority of parishioners and would be long-term investments in our facilities.  Please contribute to the Facilities Fund to plan other projects down the road.

Sincerely,

The Building Committee, Finance Council and Long Range Planning Committee