Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Summer update

It has been some time since this blog was updated . . . but that doesn't mean that things haven't been happening! As we await the final approval on the plans, crews have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather to continue with the clean up at Kamp Kipa. The debris from the demolition of the cabins that were too decrepit to keep have been gathered and hauled away. The underbrush in the forests has been cleared and the grounds are looking very nice.




In the meantime, the LLC has approved co-signing a construction loan for up to $600,000. for remodeling and updating the buildings. We are moving forward with Chase Bank to finalize the funding. The service area congregations (Phoenix, Prescott and Colorado) have approved to support the Kamp Kipa project at $10 per member per month beginning in July/August.

Plans were submitted to the State Fire Marshall and were approved with a few minor corrections; no sprinkler system is required. Plans need red-line items corrected and resubmitted for the permit. This should be our last hurdle.

Once we have the permit and the financing we have the people in place to begin the rough phases of construction. It is hoped that concrete, framing, plumbing, septic repair and water infrastructure can still be done this year.

Many have felt that it would be good to have a caretaker onsite once we start the project, if not this year, then for sure for the next building season. This will be discussed with the LLC.

It is hoped to have a groundbreaking ceremony after we get the permit and funding. We would like to plan for this sometime in September.

Plans to develop a Zion-wide fundraising plan are underway. Shannon Simonson has agreed to head a core committee in Phoenix with a committee member from both Prescott and Colorado. It would also be desirable to have a contact member from each North American congregation to promote the fundraising in their respective congregation.

Once things get rolling - hopefully within a month, please check back on this blog often for more updates. As things are happening, we will have many more pictures to show progress! Come and visit!