The Most Common Question About the RPN Stake Center Remodel?? Answer!

Last week I told you that there was one question that seemed to weigh heavily on the minds of many members of the Rose Park North Stake.  It was more common than any other question at the beginning of the remodel.  Are you ready??? Drumroll, please........The most common question asked at the beginning of the Rose Park North Stake Center remodel?

"Why aren't they watering the grass???"

If you wondered the same thing, you aren't alone!  :)

Fortunately, they have a landscaping plan that includes a brand new sprinkler system (newly placed), grass (phew!), and waterwise plants.  It will bring beauty to our stake center and to our community.

The Most Common Question About the RPN Stake Center Remodel

There are so many things going on at 1155 N. 1200 W.  Piles of dirt, huge pieces of equipment, and lots of workers.  We all have lots of questions about all the work that's going on there.

But there was one question people asked at the beginning of the construction that was more common than any other question.  Here's a hint:  It has to do with the exterior.


Any guesses?  I'll post the answer in exactly one week.  In the mean time, post your guesses in the comment box.  :)

Memories of the Rose Park North Stake Center

The Rose Park North Stake Center holds such wonderful memories for so many people.  Bro. Erskine from the Rose Park 7th Ward recently shared this memory:

"That building has a lot of special memories for me. My dad proposed to my mom in the north chapel and my earliest recollection of going to church as a little child is sitting on the back bench in the south chapel with my parents and my uncle who was in a wheelchair. (That was back in the day when we went to sacrament meeting in the evening.)"

Does the Rose Park Stake Center hold special memories for you and your family?  Share your story!

Good News! We're (Roughly) Half Way Through!!

There were no balloons or cake or ice cream in front of the Rose Park North Stake Center today.  In fact, there was just a lot of dirt.

But we should celebrate!  We are roughly half way through the remodel of our stake center!  Although the "completed by" date is not set in concrete, the work has been moving steadily for the past six months.  You've probably noticed the brand new windows, the sprinkler system, the missing external air conditioning units and broken up concrete.  And for every project going on outside, you know even more are happening on the inside!

So, Happy Half-Way-Finished-With-Remodeling-The-Stake-Center Day!!  Go eat some cake and ice cream!

The Rose Park Catacombs...

Betcha didn't know that the Rose Park North Stake Center had catacombs!  Well, not exactly, but it sure looks like it.

This is a rarely seen area of the stake center that's getting a major overhaul.  It's the "boiler room"

One of the major changes to the Rose Park North Stake Center is the updated heating and cooling system.  No longer will the classrooms boil while the chapel freezes...We'll have a new HVAC system that will make most everyone comfortable.  :)

Follow-up To Mystery Picture

Bro. Luker sent me one of his "before" pics that happens to match up perfectly with this week's mystery pic!  It is indeed the kitchen on the north side of the gym. 

Thanks!

Do You Live Near the Stake Center?

In church today we were asked to keep an eye out on our building--especially those who drive past it frequently.  Watch for suspicious behavior (use your imagination) and call Bro. Merritt if you see something that doesn't seem right.

Thanks!

Another Mystery Picture

Any guesses as to where this picture was taken?

Baptismal Font Relocation

One of the major changes to the Rose Park North Stake Center is the font relocation.  Does anyone have any guesses as to where the font may be relocated?

Will it open up to the cultural hall?  The gym?  Will it be on the south side of the building?  Any guesses?

Plans for the North Chapel

This is another shot of the north chapel.  They've laid down a protective cloth to shield the entire podium area.  It's wonderful to see that it's being preserved and cared for during the renovation.

Liz McConkie notes, "This shot of the North Chapel shouldn't have surprised me but did. Obviously, if we're getting new carpet, the pews have to be removed, but it sure looks strange to see only a podium in this big empty room. The clerk's desk has also been taken out to make way for a ramp that will access the rostrum."

Bishop's Office

This is a shot of the Rose Park 7th Ward Bishop's office.  Look like all it needs is a desk and some chairs.

And some carpet.  And an electrical outlet.  And maybe a picture or two.

But that's 'bout it.

Oh, and a fourth wall and a door.

See?  It's almost done?  ;)

Who takes all the pictures???

Some people have asked me if I'm the one who gets to walk around inside the building and take pictures of the renovation.  Nope, but I do have thoughtful friends who have connections. 

Thanks to Becky Merritt and Liz McConkie for letting me use their wonderful pictures in this blog. 

It makes all the difference!

Mystery Picture AnswerTime II

In April 2010, before the renovation started, Brother Luker from the Rose Park 8th Ward took a few pictures. 

This picture happened to match the mystery picture taken by Sister Merritt during the renovation.  Bro. Luker solves the north/south mystery.  This is a picture of the north chapel.

Mystery Picture AnswerTime!

We posted a picture earlier this month and had everyone guess where it was taken.  Ready for the answer?

It's the chapel!

Now, does anyone know if it's the north or south?

He Is Building a Palace

Renovations, remodels and repairs aren't pretty. 

Usually things look worse before they look better.  There are piles of debris, non-functioning parts, missing pieces and gaping holes.  It's a messy, sometimes painful process that holds a glorious metaphor for spiritual growth.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis shares his insight:

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."

Hidden Picture

Even among the debris, dust and demolition the Lord has allowed something beautiful to grow.

Can you find the rose?


"...And the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose."
Isaiah 35:1

Mystery Picture Quiz Time!

Where is this mystery picture taken?  Enter your guesses in the comment box below. 

The correct answer will be posted on September 30th, 2010.

Good luck!

You Mean We Didn't Have Our Own Fire Hydrant??

I know you're all asking yourselves, "What?? We didn't have our own fire hydrant?"

Well, now we do.

Classic design.  Lovely shade of red. 

Very nice.

What's Cookin' in the RPN Kitchen?

The first time I heard whisperings about the RPN Stake Center renovation was in the north kitchen during a funeral luncheon back in 2008.  The ladies were excited about the idea of having a renovated kitchen to serve their green beans and funeral potatoes from, but assured me that the rumors of a building renovation were simply that.  Rumors.

Well, ladies, take a look-see at this!  Your kitchen is finally happening!  And it looks like the old appliances are already gone and a window is slated to be replaced with an updated one.  Soon, when you serve your funeral potatoes, Jell-o, green beans and ham it will be warmed in new ovens and served across sparkling countertops.

Now let's just hope that the first meal we serve from this kitchen is a fiesta and not a funeral.

Rain is Falling All Around

Fun Autumn Memories

Do you have fun autumn memories of events held in the Rose Park North Stake Center?

Maybe you remember going to a Western Hoedown?  Do you have fun memories of a Trunk-or-Treat?  What about a Share-Your-Harvest Party or a Getting-to-Know-You Night? 

What do you remember about autumn in the Rose Park North Stake Center?

Please share your warm, humorous or thoughtful memories with us!

WARNING!

There was a wee bit of concern that this blog might pique the curiosity of Rose Parkians and make them want to actually enter the stake center before the renovation is complete.

Three words:

DON'T DO IT.

Pretty please, stay off the property until the renovation is complete. 

I've been promised exclusive interior pics by our stake Physical Facilities Rep.  He and his wife have been attending the monthly meetings with the contractors and have been able to take hundreds of pictures of all the areas that we want to see!  (And you won't have to break a leg to see these photos!)

So, please stay out until the renovation is complete.  For your own safety. 

But the very second the building is complete, the ribbon is cut and the doors open, we'd love to see you, your family, your friends and your neighbors there every Sunday after that.

Do You Have Questions About the Renovation?

"Why are there big piles of sand and gravel in the parking lot?" 

"What are those big blue pipes for?"

"Why are patches of lawn missing?"

Just driving by all the construction buzz at the stake center sets a hundred questions whirling.  We all have questions about the renovation...

If you have answers, please share!  If you have questions, go ahead and post them in the comment box below.

Fortifying the Stake Center Roof

Nick Pacelli of Timberworks Construction, explains what they're doing to fortify and strengthen the stake center--specifically the roof.  He also shares his favorite homemade treat.  (Maybe someone could bake some and deliver it to Nick...Mmmmm....)

Working With the Windows Open

 

With no air conditioning, and temps outside in the upper eighties, workers leave the windows open to keep the building cool while they work.

Restoration vs. Renovation

While driving past the Rose Park North Stake Center construction zone and watching all the renovation buzz, my five-year-old asked "Mommy, when will our church be restored?"

Good news!  Our church is restored!  We have the fullness of the gospel as taught by Jesus Christ when he was on the earth.  We have living prophets, apostles, the priesthood power and all the wonderful blessings that come with the true and living gospel.

But, I think my five-year-old really wanted to know when the stake center was going to be done with the renovation.

The Rose Park North Stake Center renovation began in June 2010 and will undergo changes over the next year that will improve its safety, functionality, efficiency and aesthetics.  The crews are working hard to stay on schedule, do quality work and make our stake center a beauty and a blessing to our community. 

The purpose of this website is to provide information about the renovation of the stake center and to give you an opportunity to share stories, insights, and information about the stake center or the renovation process. 

We welcome all visitors, community leaders and neighbors.