Note: Peter Gordon, Board representative in charge of the survey, has reviewed the results and has made the following recommendations.

After reviewing the results of this survey, the Board will determine how to act upon the results.  The major themes that were identified in this study are that the congregation:

1. Likes Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary.
2. Regards the Sanctuary as a multi-purpose facility for events that involve larger groups
3. Desires a living-room type space for smaller worship activities
4. Would be in favour of a separate medium-sized multi-purpose room and adjoining kitchen if affordable
5. Is very open to the idea of renting newly built space to community organizations such as the Squamish Community Services Society.

1.0 Planning Horizon

The following are some suggestions for the Board and the congregation, which are intended to generate some healthy discussion.

1. Use this survey to create a long-term vision of what the congregation would like the facility to look like in 10 to 15 years.
2. Separate the long-term vision into short, medium and long-term plans that all fit within the 10 to 15-year time frame.
3. Once the plan has been assigned timelines, the Board can formulate precise goals to fit into these various lengths of time.  This process will allow the Board to ensure the longer term vision is always considered when making decisions that affect the church facility, whether it be a small item such as buying new chairs, or more costly projects such as adding new rooms.

2.0 Financial Planning

After planning horizons have been determined, the next step is to consider the costs associated with financing facility enhancement.  The first priority when considering cost is to hire an architect to help the Board develop site plan possibilities that would meet the goals of the congregation at the end of their 10-15-year plan.  Once this is determined, financial goals can be set for each of the years up until the fifteenth year of the plan.  These goals will shape the way in which fundraising will be planned.  It would also be useful for the Board to consider an optimal amount they want to reach and then to consider financing the remaining portion (i.e., once 60% of the targeted amount is reached, the remaining 40% could be financed over the remaining 15 years).

As various milestones are reached, the Board can implement short, medium and long-term plans.  These phased goals must also be flexible so that they can be achieved at a faster or a slower rate, depending on the congregation’s ability to raise the targeted funds.  The most important factor is that the congregation has something to strive for.

3.0 Miscellaneous recommendations made by survey respondents

There were a few recommendations made by respondents that are worth noting during future planning exercises.  These include:

Create a glassed-area attached to the Sanctuary for parents and small children.  There could be a small speaker in the room, so that parents could participate in the service while minding their children.

Build a room specifically for the Youth group- one that they could call their own.

Enlarge the kitchen in order to accommodate more cooking equipment and an automatic dishwasher.

Enlarge the administrative area and Minister’s Office.

Build storage space, so that existing stacked tables and chairs can be concealed.

As the planning process moves forward, there will be opportunities for the congregation to be involved in making further recommendations along the lines of those mentioned above.

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