We kicked off our 75th Anniversary with an ambitious renovation donation campaign aimed at revitalizing our parish facilities. The call to action was met with overwhelming support from parishioners who understand the importance of maintaining a welcoming environment for worship, fellowship, and community service. To date, we have raised just over $160,000.00 with an additional $40,000 required to meet our goal.

This campaign has been more than just a fundraising effort; it was a chance to demonstrate our commitment to the church and to each other. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our parish community, we have made significant progress toward our renovation goals.

Below are the projects completed to date, starting in 2023:

Painting of the church interior (2023) - this project was a much-needed refresh and repair of the interior of the Cathedral. There was extensive water damage from a leaking roof that was repaired in 2021. The ceilings and walls around the exterior windows were scraped, patched, and sanded prior to painting. The whole interior was painted and is now clean and fresh looking.

Cost of the project: $13,500.00 (paid in 2023 with parish funds)

Church deck roof repair - this roof area is the outside walkway which circles the church. The church is built on a concrete slab which was originally covered with a rubber membrane, gravel, and patio stones when it was built in 1975, with a life expectancy of 35-40 years. After 49 years, there were multiple places where leaks started to develop and had to be addressed. The first of these leaks were discovered in the hall entranceway, then the banquet hall near the kitchen and new leaks on the whole east side, with leaks in the office and the UWAC storage room.

The renovation committee chose to have the membrane replaced in sections, with the east side being the final area repaired in October 2024. This was a major project and one which needed to be undertaken before any serious interior renovations were to take place.

Cost of project: $90,000.00 (paid in 2024 from Phase 1 Renovation Fund)

Sound system - the church purchased and installed a new sound system. This has been mounted in a locked cabinet on the stage. The system has portable speakers with stands which are able to be moved to the upper hall if required and operate independently from the stage hardware. There were also two new wireless and two wired microphones purchased.

Cost of Project: $5,000.00 (paid in 2023 with parish funds)

Security cameras - given that the premises are used by outside groups on a fairly regular basis, security cameras have been installed in strategic areas for security and safety reasons.

Cost of project: $7,340.00 (paid in 2024 through Trillium Grant)

Front door system - the complete front door and side glass entry system to the hall was replaced in October 2024. This will provide much better heat retention as well as preventing rodents and insects from entering.

Cost of Project: $10,500.00 (paid with $7,500.00 Ontario Grant and balance from Phase 1 Renovation Fund)

We are now starting the following projects:

Women’s washroom - as many parishioners know, the washrooms at the church have needed to be renovated for a number of years. Through the fall of 2024, our committee researched and investigated potential plans. An inspection of the current drains and plumbing infrastructure was executed by a professional who found the plumbing and drain system in decent shape, so washroom renovations have been planned. The current plan is to start the women’s washroom first in January 2025, with completion expected by March . This will include the replacement of all toilets, stalls, sinks, counters, wall / floor tiles and ceilings, including lighting. It will also include moving the wall over into the men’s washroom sink area to create a larger women’s lounge and makeup area. This lounge can also be used as a bridal room when the hall is rented out for weddings. This is something our renters have been requesting for many years.

Cost of Project: $45,000.00 (to be paid in 2025 from Phase 1 Renovation Fund)

Projects planned for 2025:

Men’s washroom - the men’s washroom will be renovated after the women’s is completed and will have to be coordinated with hall rentals. This will be later in 2025.

Cost of Project: $45,000.00 (to be paid in 2025 from Phase 1 Renovation Fund)

Banquet hall lobby remodel - this is yet to be planned but a refresh of walls, ceilings and lighting are planned.

Cost of Project: $15-20,000.00 (to be paid in 2025 from Phase 1 Renovation Fund)

Repair of interior water damage – repairs are in progress in the hall, the office and the UWAC storage rooms. Some banquet hall ceiling repairs have already been completed.

Phase 2 Project:

Banquet hall remodel - this will be a major undertaking which has not been planned or budgeted for as of yet but is on the horizon. The hall will need a refresh of walls, ceilings, flooring and lighting. We will begin our planning in 2025, but this will not likely be started until 2026/27, provided the necessary funds are raised. This will be an additional fundraising effort to the one currently in progress.

The projects to date are underway and have largely been funded by your generosity. We will continue to work towards our goal of $ 200,000 to complete the Phase 1 renovations. The funds collected for Phase 1 of the renovation will cover the projects listed with the exception of the banquet hall remodel. The renovation committee thanks you for your generosity and asks for your continued financial support for the future projects for the betterment of our parish.

Respectfully,

The Renovation Committee

Renovation Report October 5, 2025

There has been a large amount of renovation work done in 2023-2025. This last year started off with an aggressive renovation donation campaign and to date we have raised $193,000. The following projects that have been completed are as follows:

· Painting of the church interior (2023): This project was a much-needed refresh and repair of the interior of the Cathedral. Cost of the project: $13,500 (Paid by parish funds)

· Church deck roof repair: This area of the roof is the outside walkway which circles the church. The church is built on a concrete slab which was originally covered with a rubber membrane, when constructed in 1975. The area was never repaired or replaced and had a lifespan of 35-40 years. After 49 years, multiple leaks started to develop and had to be addressed. This was a major project and one which needed to be undertaken before any serious interior renovations were to take place.

Cost of project: $95,000

As a result of roof leakage, additional repairs are needed. The UWAC storage room was completely gutted to the brick, due to black mold. The room was completely re-drywalled, insulated and painted. Parts of the office walls also had a similar repair done. These were major repairs that were caused by the leaking roof. Cost: 15,000

· Women’s Washroom: As many parishioners know, the washrooms at the church have needed replacement for several years. The washroom was completed in early March 2025 and included the replacement of all toilets, stalls, sinks, counters, wall/ floor tiles and ceilings including lighting. We also moved the wall over into the men’s washroom sink area to create a larger women’s lounge area for greater space.

Cost of Project: $65,000 (Note some supplies were pre-purchased for Men’s washroom)

Church altar repair and renovation. Cost: $5000

Roof Hall Leak: In May 2025, a major leak developed between the lower and upper halls. There was a failure in the existing hall roof that was unrelated to the deck roof repair. Included in this roof repair was repair of the hall ceiling. This was a relatively easy repair but one that used up valuable budget dollars. Cost: $7500

· Additional Projects: Lobby vestibule removal of mold and new drywall and paint, new front door system, security cameras. (some funds attained from government grants while mold repair was from church renovation funds. Cost: $18,000

Future Projects

· Men’s washroom: The men’s washroom will be renovated starting January 2026 and will have to be coordinated with hall rentals.

Cost of Project: $45,000

· Banquet Hall Lobby Remodel: This is yet to be planned but a refresh of walls, ceilings and lighting are planned. Cost of Project: $15,000

ADDITIONAL FUNDS NEEDED TO COMPLETE PHASE 1: $40,000.00