First Assembly of God adds recreation building

Dream it, plan it and go for it. That?s the philosophy behind the new 8,000-square-foot fellowship hall and recreation building adjacent to First Assembly of God on Club Drive.

Construction began Aug. 17, but talks of the addition started over 10 years ago. About a year and a half ago, the congregation agreed to begin construction.

?When the vote finally came about, it was a unanimous vote,? said pastor Sammy Lee, ?The whole congregation was on the same page. Basically, we?ve talked about it for more than 10 years and when it came down to it, this was the time.?

Moving forward with the idea became a question of need. The church is growing and as it continues to grow, there is a need for more room to hold its growing numbers. Also needed by the church was an area for the young people.

When these two needs were combined, a new building was determined to be the solution. The building?s open area can be used for congregation get-togethers. Included in this idea was a kitchen for food preparation. In between these times, the tables and chairs can be placed in a storage room and the open area can be used for basketball and volleyball. Adding on bathrooms makes the building a complete functioning facility.

?There will be no bumping into one another when we get together,? said Lee. ?That will be nice. And, the kids will have a place to go play.?

Currently, the building is 100 feet long and 80 feet wide. Total cost will exceed $350,000.

For Lee, seeing the church grow has a deeper meaning. His father started the church back in the 1950s in West Riverside. In the early ?70s, the new church was built where it currently stands at 112 Club Drive.

?It?s ironic that here I am 30 plus years later following in his footsteps,? said Lee. ?I?ve been here since 1991.?

Long-term plans for the building include renting it out for people who want to use it for practice and adding a second floor. The grand opening is scheduled for some time next month. For more information regarding the addition, call Lee at 668-4614.