BBT 100 Tabernacle Project Updates

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April 2024 Update- Construction Status

We are now in the “home stretch” in construction and the finishing touches on this project with a goal to have all work completed a few days in advance of Memorial Day weekend. Take a look at this video to visualize the progress!

This past week included finishing electrical work, installation of the lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, planting of new trees, and the start of the installation of the new engineered white oak flooring material.  The floor will be sanded and stained and sealed with several coats (please stay out of the Tabernacle during this work).

Next steps include:
·      Complete final flooring
·      Complete new stage closets
·      Trim painting – remainder of interior
·      Exterior caulking and touch up paint
·      New landscaping – thank you Julie Espinosa!
·      Chair re-install; old and new
·      AV installation
·      Carpeting of aisle and platform
·      Numerous finishing touches!

Financial update

We praise God for the generosity of our community towards this project.  To date we have collected close to $1.3 million of the ~ $1.9 million in pledges.  Thank you for honoring your pledges - a further update will be provided at the semi-annual meeting.

March 2024

We are entering the “home stretch” in construction and the finishing touches on this project with a goal to have all work completed in advance of Memorial Day weekend. Most recently, the HVAC ductwork has been completed, the updated electrical conduit work for the AV equipment, and the new sub-floor has been installed.  The strengthening of the south wall and revision to the platform stage and closets have also been completed.

Next steps include:
·      Shiplap install – upper walls; pre-primed and then painted
·      Extra prime coat and painting of ceilings/rafters
·      Install final flooring – engineered white oak flooring
·      Painting – remainder of interior
·      Chair re-install; old and new (scheduled April 15)
·      AV installation; build new AV desk/control center
·      Planting of trees – SE area
·      Numerous finishing touches!

From a fund-raising perspective, we have received payment of over $1.2 million of the $1.9 million of pledges - thank you Bethany Beach and thank you Lord!

Please continue to pray for safety and the timely completion of this work.

January 2024

Progress on the Tabernacle has started off with a bang in 2024! All structural fixes have been completed, including shoring up our existing beams at the back of the Tabernacle and installing some new ones over the stage that align with our new trusses. The stage and storage closets have been shored up and re-framed a bit for maximum efficiency and a bit more safety for our choir.

Additionally, the flooring has officially been removed. Oatsvall Construction has carefully saved a portion of the old floorboards for our use later, perhaps resurfacing the ordering counter in the Well or some other heritage project.

Near-term next steps include installing all the ductwork that will run below the floor and the beginnings of the electrical rough-in. That will take a few weeks and once that is complete, the new subfloor and final floor finish will be installed. Look for further construction updates in the Spring.

We praise God for the generosity and faithful giving of so many to make this project a reality.  Through December 31, over $1 million of the pledged funds have been collected!  At this stage, we have not had to access our credit line, and with the potential for accelerated giving on 2024 pledges, we aim to reduce the amount of interest we will need to eventually pay when we do tap the line.

We ask for continued prayers over the Oatsvall team and for those who are volunteering their time overseeing the final selections and design, the budget, and the project as a whole.

As a reminder, the Board Owners Representative group on this project is comprised of Larry Anderson, Dwight Bodine, Mike Seelig, Lew TenHave, and Chad Voelkert, along with Oz Ozburn as our architect!  Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thanksgiving Update

Tabernacle Construction Update - October 6

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWnPPSb6kg&t=2s.

We've had a lot of progress on our Tabernacle since our last update! The Oatsvall Team has removed the existing trusses from the "knuckle" resulting in a clear sky view on the inside of our Tabernacle. They have taken 1 truss from each of the 4 sides of the knuckle to their warehouse in Galien to use them as templates for our new custom trusses. These new trusses have very specialized steel that is full of custom angles and bolt patterns to fit our non-plumb and non-square Tabernacle. The new trusses will start being set on Monday of next week.  This means that if you join us for the Annual Meeting, you will be able to see the big opening in our Tabernacle. The construction team is allowing people into the Tabernacle after the meeting but asks that you stay in only the designated area and do not go in any time other than this special allowance after the meeting. While the trusses have taken a few days longer than planned, that time was not wasted and the mechanical crew has already set the units for our new low-diffuse air system that will whisper cool air up through the floor. Thank you for your continued prayers for the safety of the construction crew and the wisdom and guidance for any decisions that arise during construction. See you in a few weeks!

Tabernacle Construction Update - October 22

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/GJEOiZkd0jg

Our new trusses, the main structure of the Tabernacle's "knuckle" have been fabricated and brought to site. These custom trusses required lots of tricky measurements and unique steel plates and bolts to span our space and fit our existing roof, which isn't always symmetrical on its axis. 

The Oatsvall team brought the large two to Bethany yesterday and began completing the smaller two, which are still at their shop in Galien. The larger two will be put in place on Monday, weather permitting, using the large cranes that are currently in the Well parking lot. The smaller two will be set in place on Wednesday. 

Once the trusses are in place, the glulam joists can be set and roof sheathing will commence. The goal is to be fully closed in Friday, November 3rd. 

Please pray for a break in the rain so that this work can go smoothly and for the safety and wisdom of all working on the project. 

Tabernacle Construction Update - September 26

Work on our Tabernacle has been going smoothly since Labor Day weekend. On Monday they started working on the middle area of the Tabernacle which is going to get new trusses and be a special area in our space.  We call this the “knuckle,” in case you hear that term. The Oatsvall team is currently removing the roof sheathing so that they can use the existing trusses as a template to fabricate each of our steel connections and ensure that our new, large trusses fit the space perfectly.  Since the Tabernacle has no straight or plumb walls, they are custom building these 4 large trusses on-site.  They have installed temporary walls that are not meant to hold the roof load but to simply brace our walls while the roof is open. Work on the trusses will begin Wednesday, September 27th. The roof will be open for the next 2-3 weeks depending on the weather. They are keeping a close eye on the weather, knowing that rain will get in on some days. This is not an issue since we are replacing our floors with new structural sub-flooring and pine hardwood that will match our existing flooring. The windows in the areas most affected have been safely removed, labeled, and stored in the Well along with all of our chairs. If you join us for the Annual Meeting, you will be able to see the new trusses in place. They are hoping to have the new roof sheathing on that portion by then as well. We are hoping to allow a quick tour through the Tabernacle on that day, but we will see how far they get!  This will, obviously, be dependent on the progress that we make between now and then. Please remember that until then, this is an active construction site and no one is to be in or around the Tabernacle. To help us manage the project, the Board has established an "Owner's Rep Team” to meet regularly with the Oatsvall team and our Architect.  Our Architect is also meeting with Oatsvall weekly.  The Board receives updates at our regular meetings and is able to have special meetings as necessary to keep the project on track.  We will provide regular updates to the community through emails like these as the project proceeds. To keep the Oatsvall team free from distractions (or confusion) we are asking that you please refrain from talking with them directly.  If you have questions or comments, please contact anyone on the Owner's Rep Team or anyone on the Board.  You can also use the “Contact Us” form for this purpose. For a video update summary, please see this link. Thank you for your continued prayers for the safety of the construction crew and the wisdom and guidance for any decisions that arise during construction. See you in a few weeks!

August 27, 2023 Update

Construction has begun on the Tabernacle 100 work this past week with sections of the roof being re-shingled in advance of more extensive construction involving the center section of the Tabernacle and many other aspects following Labor Day.   See the planned timing (approximate) of the various phases of construction below, which of course, may be subject to supply chain and weather issues!  We will post updates and pictures by e-mail and here from time to time.  One reminder:  our Tabernacle will be an active construction zone and so we kindly ask that we all refrain from entering the Tabernacle during the off season construction and respect the hazards an active construction zone represents.   Please address any questions or concerns to the Board Owners Representation group - Larry Anderson, Lew Ten Have, Dwight Bodine, Chad Voelkert or Mike Seelig.  Oz Ozburn continues as our architect and representative engaged with Oatsvall Construction.  

Please also continue to keep this work in your prayers - for safety, excellent craftsmanship, the timing of work, and for the celebration planned next summer as we ready our Tabernacle for the next century!

July 16, 2023 Update

How blessed we are in all that has transpired in recent weeks regarding the Tabernacle 100 project! We concluded the formal portion of the fund-raising this past weekend with the kids taking up a “noisy” offering helping us to reach and even surpass our goal! Thank you family and friends, and all generations of the Bethany Beach Tabernacle for your generous giving.

We claim the theme verse for this project in Psalm 100:5: For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

July 9 Update: Final Senior Saints Video

Thank you to all who have supported this project! 
-  We are very, very pleased with the BBT community response.
-  We have now received gifts and pledges from over 60% of our BBT families
-  We will close out the formal aspect of the “campaign” this next week as planned - what an AMAZING BLESSING!   Can I hear a “He’s at it again” or a “GLORY” from the BBT family (watch last week’s sermon if you missed)
- We will continue to welcome gifts after the campaign closes, but aim to aggregate results and celebrate God’s work here July 15-16 weekend.

If you are still praying about your participation - or you know someone who is - please let them know of our plan to close the campaign as planned this next weekend and encourage them to participate if they can. Enjoy this final video in the BBT Senior Saints series.

July 2, 2023 : Senior Saints Video (2)

The BBT100 fund-raising team highlighted that we are in the “home stretch” of the campaign and seek to conclude Sunday, July 16 with the board making final decisions regarding the contract and bank credit line for construction.  We shared how great it would be for future generations of the BBT family to reflect on the generations here and now as being “All-In” on this multi-generational project.

Here is the link to the video shared in the July 2 Tabernacle service highlighting our “senior saints” and their aspirational wishes for the community and the Tabernacle in 50, or even 100 years.  Enjoy watching!

June 25, 2023 : Senior Saints Video (1)

Here is the BB Tabernacle video shared in the June 23 service highlight our “BBT senior saints” sharing their memories of the tabernacle.

May 27, 2023 Update
At the semi-annual meeting held today, the leaseholders of the Bethany Beach Tabernacle overwhelmingly approved the final design,
cost estimates, and fund-raising plans for the next phase of the BBT 100 project. We praise God for the strong community support for this
work and we pray that all we do here would be a blessing to all generations and most importantly bring glory and honor to Him.

All leaseholders should have received in the mail or at the meeting a brochure describing the project, timing and cost estimates in great detail, frequently asked questions, and fund- raising materials. A copy of these materials is accessible here: BBT100 Brochure & President’s Letter.

Our Tabernacle is ready for the summer 2023 season recognizing that this will be a “work in process” structure this summer. The open rafters have received a prime coat of paint, new electrical conduits, and temporary lighting and fans are all in place. The bulk of the structural, ventilation, seating and acoustics improvements will be made during the 23-24 off-season, with plans to offer thanksgiving to God and re-dedicate the Tabernacle to His Glory in the summer of 2024.

A campaign to raise the approximate $1.5 million cost project is underway now through mid-July at which time we aim to sign a construction contract and have work begin on this final phase at the conclusion of our season. We ask that all BBT leaseholders and Tabernacle attenders and friends prayerfully consider this work and how each family might help make these plans a reality. Pledge card /envelopes were included in the mailed materials and a digital form is accessible here. You can give directly to the BBT100 campaign here. Additional details presented at the semi-annual meeting are available here in case you were unable to attend the meeting in person.

Annual Meeting (BBT Update) - October 2022
As part of the Annual Meeting of Leaseholders in October, the BBT100 committee shared an update on various design options under consideration and what to expect in terms of committee activity and action over the Winter/Spring 2023 “off-season”, and a rough timeline to re-dedication of our Tabernacle in the Summer of 2024.  

The “in process” tear-out of the Tabernacle ceiling   was open for touring after the meeting and the various design options under consideration for the open ceiling were displayed.  BBT 100 committee members were there to help answer questions and gain further input from leaseholders.

Labor Day 2022 Video - (Tearout Work)
Over the Labor Day weekend, over 50 volunteers of all ages came to support the “tear-out” of the existing ceiling tile structure in preparation for the various design options under consideration.   Watch 3+ hours of action in the 3-minute video of our community at work on Labor Day weekend!   A fun watch we assure you.

Town Halls (Summer 2022)
Early in the summer, the BBT100 committee launched a community-wide survey and questionnaire with 80+ responses received.  A summary of the results and input from the community was shared, including updates from the committee during several Sunday morning “Town Hall” meetings in the summer of 2022.  

Many of the details shared on those Sunday mornings were summarized in a community-wide update meeting just prior to the Labor Day weekend.

Semi-Annual Meeting (May 2022)
This is the first report from the BBT100 committee to the community. The BBT100 committee was formed in January 2022 at the request of the Board.

This report highlights the committee charter, the community volunteers comprising the BBT100 committee and summarizes the early work of the Committee in the Spring of 2022. It also announced plans for various forms of community outreach and input over the Summer season, engagement of an architect to assist the Committee, and early design workshops over the summer months.