Hall Replacement Project
On this page you will find information about the project to replace the church hall at St Nic’s. Please check back here regularly for updates.
Latest News
March 2007
After much consultation we have a new design for the hall. The original design would have been liable for VAT because it was considered an extension of the existing church centre. The new design is joined only at the upper level, which avoids this problem.
Please continue to pray for this project, and to pass on your comments to Jon Holt.
October 2006
It is important to say that this project can go ahead only if it gets the full support of the church membership. To that end, everyone in the church address book should by now have received a pack in the post providing more information about the plans and asking for a response. There are additional copies at the back of church for anyone who didn’t get one in the post.
We’d like all church members to take an active interest in the project. Please talk to any of the church leadership and PCC members. We also encourage you to discuss your thoughts and ideas on the forum.
Documents for download
- Audio-visual presentation given by Jon Holt on 24 September (mp4 format) – the case for replacing the hall. 7.7 MB download, viewing time approx 20 minutes.
- Audio only version of the presentation (mp3 format) – 12 MB download.
- Video interviews with some of the children (mp4 format) – 9.4 MB download, viewing time approx 5 minutes.
- Microsoft PowerPoint slides from the presentation – 6.8 MB download.
- Orignal plans (now changed): Street Level and Lower Ground Floor.
Questions and Answers
How much will each person need to give?
There are potentially two hundred “giving units” in St Nic’s. If the average gift is £2000, then we reach our target. However, the real answer to the question is that each person should give whatever God lays on that person’s heart to give.
We’ve had problems with the external staircase area to the south of the church centre being abused – needles found there, etc. But the plans show it remaining. Can we not design it out?
The area immediately to the south of the centre is an issue of major concern to us – the passageway from the blue gate off Maid Marian Way to the hall. Ideally we would build on that area, which would stop it from being abused. But there are two issues: If we build there and attach it to the church centre, we definitely become liable for VAT. Secondly, the cost of building there is very high compared to the return that we get in terms of usable space. So we have a very difficult balancing act between cost, usage, and the risk of leaving it as it is (albeit with minor remodelling). In the end, if we can raise enough money and can find a design that works, then we would do it.
The main entrance through the church centre looks quite small. With the number of people expected to be coming through, could we have a more open-plan reception area?
At the moment you face a wall as you come into the church centre, and go round a corner to get to the stairs. The plan is to knock down that wall, so that you come into an open plan area with a new door straight ahead into the new building. There could be room for a reception desk, although it would still be tight.
Is there money included in the plan for a refurbishment of the existing offices in the church centre?
No. The remodelling of the entrance area and the ramp from Maid Marian Way are included, but no changes to the existing offices.
What disabled facilities will be included?
There is already a disabled access toilet on street level. The floor heights in the new building will match those in the church centre and there will be a ramp up to the entrance off Maid Marian Way. There will be a lift to take disabled users downstairs. And there will be a disabled toilet on the lower ground floor.
Will there be opportunities to give our time and skills, as well as our money?
There are several of us looking forward to the day when we can take a large hammer down into the old hall...! There are one or two health and safety issues though. My sincere hope is that the answer to the question is yes. The problem is arranging this with builders, because joint projects between builders and amateurs can be problematic - delays, things done out of order or in the wrong way, etc. Having said that, there are enough people in St Nic's with relevant knowledge and skills that we could hope to do something.
Do the costs include furnishings and fittings?
Yes, there is an allowance in there for kit-out.
Are architect fees included?
Yes.
Nothing has been mentioned about car parking.
This project does not address any car parking issues. I've had some discussions with the project manager of Westfields (the Broadmarsh redevelopment project) and there is a possibility of negotiating some reduced-rate parking. But there is no possibility of incorporating car parking in the St Nic's development - there just is no suitable space.
Could a small garden area be included?
There is an area between the north side of the new building and the church yard. It can either be hard-landscaped or soft-landscaped. The problem with soft-landscaping is that it is very enclosed and gets little sunlight, so it may be difficult to grow much there.
Note for Windows users
Windows Media Player doesn’t yet seem to support the mp4 file format. If you download the mp4 files but cannot play them back, you may need to install Quicktime for Windows, or you could try the Open Source video player VLC.
