May 2020 Financial Update

On the fundraising front, May saw 12 new guild members including a new $50,000 Goldsmith guild member.  Those new guild member and other donors added $110,000 in new raised funds (pledges and one-time donations) and $120,000 was collected (one time donations and payments on pledges).  Total raised to date is $26,680,000.  We still need to raise another $3,320,000 to reach our original fundraising goal. 

“Now that construction will be starting (the heavy equipment will arrive the week of July 12th to start digging the basement!), it is important that all donors continue to make their pledge payments so we can collect all of the $4,500,000 outstanding in pledges (this amount is included in the total raised to date).”

The total spent on the project now exceeds $1 million.  May saw more work by the architects with the structural drawings as well as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) drawings substantially complete and the architectural drawings 50% complete.  The architects have now produced over 300 drawings.  They are delving deep into the construction drawings.  For example, they made some minor plan adjustments in the basement (restrooms, mechanical room, janitor closets) and one small change in the cry room increasing its seating from 100 to now 104; they studied the air delivery systems including the height of the registers and how different grill designs affect noise based on the speed of airflow; and in the area of steel coordination, engineers are studying if some non-standard tubes of steel can be changed to something more standard to save on costs without compromising the structure. 

The architects also focused on lighting.  They studied ways to light the crosses on the bell towers and the statue of Mary on the cupola while avoiding unwanted shadows if those lights were not placed correctly; they also reviewed the design of the support structure for the large bells and how to best light the bell towers without drawing undue attention to those structural supports.  They looked at the fixtures over the doors, the lighting under the handrails to illuminate the steps and how elevating the flood lights will avoid pedestrians casting moving shadows on the Immaculata’s exterior.

The architects also brought brick selections allowing the priests to consider textures and colors and blends of both.  They will be back on campus during the next few weeks to work with Fr. Kopec on the sacristy details before he leaves for summer camps. They also have work to do on the baptistry and reliquary as well as details for the side chapels. 

Now that more detailed drawings are available, Fr. Wegner asked for a selection to provide the architectural art contractor so they can make more detailed proposals for the interior décor.  This work will put into motion detailed work on exactly what the inside details of the Immaculata will be.

Thank you for your support as work forges ahead to make this a home worthy of Our Lady.  All for the Holy Name of God.