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Abstract Geometric Layers

April 2026
Construction Update

FPCVB NEW SANCTUARY COMMITTEE

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Photo names L-R: Seated – Kimberly Ball and Lucille Craig. Middle – Bud Johnson. Back – Dave Kelso, Bob Satola, Rod Keefer, Mike Snyder, Scott Westerman, Phil Schwin, Todd Heckman.

 

The Facilities Development committee led by chairman Phil Schwin has been working for years to conceptualize and plan for the new Sanctuary. Committee members have experience in construction, engineering, management, design and finance to aid in decision making. Their purpose is to provide oversight for the other new Sanctuary committees and to also vote on critical aspects including contracts, design and finance.

Early in the process, the Facilities Committee simultaneously implemented key contracts so that so that an integrated design could be developed.

  • Proctor Construction company was selected as the General Contractor. Proctor was the GC for the CCL building, and has an excellent local reputation. The Proctor team was a critical partner in cost estimating and vendor selection in the design phase.

  • Proctor recommended Leo Daly from West Palm Beach as the architect firm that was partnered with TLC Engineering of Melbourne.

  • The Facilities Committee also hired subspecialities in Audio, Visual and Acoustical design so that the build process was integrated for electronics from the start of the design process.

Some of the more notable changes from the original proposals include:

  • Optimizing the layout of canopies covering walkways and matching construction to the existing CCL design to save over $300,000.

  • Adding a low stone knee wall with the same brickwork to match the CCL.

  • Changing the color of curtain wall windows tint to blue from the architect’s proposed green tint.

  • Allocation of funding to have a definable budget for different construction elements.

  • Approving contracts, including the decision to split out some FPCVB managed contracts from the Proctor contract to save on management oversight fees.

  • Raising the foundation elevation by 3ft and using a metal roof for hurricane protection.

Being good stewards of the gifts provided, the Facilities Development committee has sought out design optimization to reduce unnecessary costs in order to improve quality in key areas such as acoustics and aesthetics. Designs were also examined with maintenance needs and trying to future proof the church infrastructure.

The Interior Design Team has been working on the new Sanctuary for over a year and a half. This diverse group has made careful selections on finishes and made and proposals to the Facilities Development Committee for approval into drawings. Some of the more notable changes from the original architect’s proposal include:

  • Development of an open two-story Narthex with Dalle de Verre up top to save half of the Dalle that was proposed by the architect to be stored. (Original proposal was a one-story Narthex with a stairwell in the front corner.)

  • Placement of the large Dalle de Verre windows in the Sanctuary instead of the Narthex.

  • Carpet in the Narthex instead of ceramic tile to reduce noise and a slip hazard.

  • Terrazzo tiling placed under seating instead of polished concrete and terrazzo flooring instead of the originally proposed maple Chancel platform. The terrazzo is similar to what was in the old Sanctuary under seating and the Chancel platform.

  • A full-size Chancel platform instead of a stowable temporary front. Shortening the main platform stairs to make room for placement of the Communion table. Added an accessibility ramp for choir members and musical instruments.ADA compliance was achieved by specifying level flooring, an outdoor wheelchair ramp, and automatic door openers. (Churches are not required to be ADA compliant and these features were not in the original plan.)

  • The Audio, Visual and Lighting control booth was relocated over the vestibule entrance instead of taking up floor space in the Breakout Room.

  • The Women’s restroom was moved closer to the Bridal Make-up room.​​

 

Following suggestions from the congregation, these ideas were refined:

  • Diversified seating profiles in the sanctuary with additional seat padding.

  • A full kitchen in the Breakout room with a curtain to cover it during services.

  • A nearby storage pantry was added for the kitchen / Breakout room.​​

 

It is an exciting time for all of us at First Presbyterian Church to see the start of building the new Sanctuary! Thank you for your contributions to the capital campaign.

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