Warren and Associates Design-Build announces the start of another design-build project for First Baptist Church Simpsonville on the church's main campus in the heart of downtown Simpsonville in southern Greenville County. The Greenville-based construction firm began work on July 14, 2008, performing demolition services and removing pews in the church's former 700-seat sanctuary, converting it into a multipurpose facility. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of October 2008.
First Baptist Simpsonville's renovation project calls for the facility's sloped floors to be filled with stone and leveled with concrete. A composite "Mondo" floor will be installed to accommodate basketball, volleyball and recreational activities, along with seating for up to 300 people for fellowship, dining and various types of meetings. A "catering kitchen," more aptly described as a serving area, will be equipped with icemakers, dishwashers, and refrigerator/freezer and food-heating equipment.
The existing balcony area is being renovated to create three individual theater-type classrooms. The area below the former balcony will house two exercise rooms — one with treadmills and weight-lifting equipment, the other for exercise classes — as well as men's and women's restrooms, complete with shower facilities.
"An interesting side note is that First Baptist Church (FBC) Simpsonville will donate approximately 30 pews from the former sanctuary to a church in Tamazula, Mexico, where some FBC mission teams helped build a new church that was dedicated last December," said Don Warren, founder and president of Warren and Associates Design-Build.