Equipment Set, Rooms Coming Back: Week 11 Update

This week marks a transition in the Tomorrow First construction project. With most major equipment now set in their final positions, the crew shifts from heavy lifts to careful connections, putting rooms back together one space at a time. What started as demolition and routing has moved steadily toward installation and finish work, and the momentum continues toward an end-of-June completion target.

What's Happening

The new chiller, the unit that produces the cold water that will eventually cool the building, is now in place on its exterior pad with hydronic piping staged for hookup. Inside the mechanical room, the boilers, chill water pumps, and hot water pumps are all set in their final positions. Across the building, ceiling tile and grid are going back in across multiple rooms, returning recognizable spaces to a familiar look.

This week the crew also begins work on the sanctuary air handling unit, with installation happening from the scaffolding already up just outside the sanctuary. The sanctuary itself remains available throughout the work. Crews are also routing ductwork through the office area, which requires removing sections of block wall in our office suite Wednesday and Thursday.

What to Expect

Wednesday and Thursday will be loud and dusty in the church office area as crews remove block wall in multiple spots to route ductwork. If you plan to stop by the office those days, expect noise and dust, and please feel free to call ahead. Hess Hall continues to clear scissor lifts every Wednesday morning so evening ministries have full access.

Looking Ahead

The next two weeks bring active ductwork installation in Rooms 209 through 216 on the second floor. The vertical stack fan coil units that serve our first-floor rooms are still expected to ship May 12. Memorial Day week (May 26 through May 29) shifts to a Tuesday-through-Friday schedule, with the crew targeting completion of piping and sheetmetal in the church offices and workroom that same week. Other office spaces in that part of the building may take a little longer. The project remains on track for completion at the end of June.

By the Numbers

As of this week, 113 households have made a commitment to the Tomorrow First campaign, with $1,845,113 pledged and $922,210 received. We are at 53 percent of our $1.75 million goal, with more than two years remaining in the campaign giving period.

How to Give

Give online at mcphersonfirst.org/give (select "Tomorrow First"), by mail to 1200 E Kansas Ave, McPherson, KS 67460, or place gifts in the worship offering plate marked "Tomorrow First."

Equipment in place, ceilings closing back in, rooms returning to use: each visible sign represents prayers offered, gifts given, and trust extended toward what God has next for our church. Thank you for the patience, generosity, and care that have carried us this far. Tomorrow First, indeed.