Following a decisive vote by the General Assembly in June 2007 to retain its 'landmark' building in the centre of Belfast, a specially appointed panel has presented three potential options for the future of Church House to the General Board.
Rev Adrian McLernon, convener of the panel charged with progressing the project, told last month's General Board that out of several options the most likely outcome is to see Church House developed as a conference centre for use by the Church and other conference organisers while also maintaining it as the administrative headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
"What the panel is aiming to achieve is to define a vision for how Church House can be used over a medium to long term timeframe developing the best option for the future use of the building while respecting the spiritual ethos of the denomination," explained Mr McLernon.
Mr McLernon's panel was appointed last year when the "should we stay or should we go" debate about Church House, which has overshadowed church affairs in recent years, was finally resolved.
To assist in developing its vision the panel commissioned an economic appraisal last autumn from the University of Ulster for the area of Belfast within a one mile radius of Church House. This clearly acknowledged the main growth areas as hotel and office development with the retailing centre of gravity moving away towards the north and east of the city centre.
The report also identified three potential options that have since been considered by the panel. These involved the development of a 'state of the art' conference facility for perhaps 600 delegates, a more versatile conference venue for up to 1000 plus delegates and a 'boutique hotel' option.
"On reflection," Mr McLernon told the Board, "the panel would tend to favour the larger capacity conference venue but would also be keen to see a greater Church presence on the ground floor."
It is expected that architects will be appointed before the General Assembly this June, when an outline scheme will be presented to delegates probably with detailed plans, costs and financing options to be decided on in 2009.
Meanwhile, as a result of the decision to stay in Church House, congregations have already started to pay for the necessary external stonework repairs, which are estimated at over £4m. An actual budget for this project is expected to be approved in June along with finalising the provisional amount already being charged to congregations agreed at the last Assembly. In making this decision it was noted that this finance was for external repairs only "and a further assessment will be required for additional costs associated with the development and use of Church House when plans and costs are agreed," though another resolution agreed that any such assessment be minimised.
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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