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McGinlay didn’t envision this. As the ribbon was cut on Lakeside First Baptist Church’s new $4 million, 32,000 square foot recreation facility Nov. 1, McGinlay couldn’t help but be thankful – and a little awestruck.
“This facility exceeded my expectations – it absolutely did,” he said. “The builders have gone above and beyond what we had originally thought they would do.”
The contractor, Robert Petry of RDP Construction, is also a church member, which might explain how the church got so much done for not nearly the expected cost, McGinlay said. The facility includes just about any and everything a church could want, he noted. A full-length gymnasium with a rubberized floor, several basketball goals and volleyball nets is the centerpiece. Overhead, around the rim of the court, is a walking/jogging path. A fully-equipped weight room is in one of the many rooms adjoining the gym.
Then there’s the second floor. A room for children’s church – decorated with murals of Bible stories painted by Azle artist Christy Norris, is in one area. Another room full of lounge chairs is dedicated to the college/career group. Large-screen TVs are featured in another room designed for older children. There is also space for yoga and a commercial-grade kitchen. Security cameras and a team of ex-cops are on board to help monitor it all. McGinlay said the church’s main goal now is simple: he wants to bring more folks in. The facility wasn’t built only for church members, but for the surrounding communities to use and enjoy, he said. After years of planning and praying, the church decided it had little choice but to proceed. With about 900 active members, they had run out of space. The gym can be used as dining space for major holiday events. “Last year we had separate meals because we couldn’t seat everyone,” McGinlay said. But besides being limited on serving its own membership, the new facility addresses an even greater need – community outreach, he said. “We lacked what we needed to meet the needs of this area,” McGinlay said. “We needed this facility.” McGinlay said a lot of credit is due people like Petry who helped the project along with their own dollars. In fact, the building is almost paid for. He hopes the $4 million is completely paid off within four years. Larry Shuler, the church’s social pastor, oversaw the project and worked with Dr. Paul Stutz, a professor of Christian recreation who specializes in activity programs. No one contributed more than Virginia Curnutt and her late husband, Clarvel, who sold the church the land for the project at a very reasonable price, McGinlay said. “It is a glorious day for the church – and you made it all possible,” McGinlay said to Curnutt, who cut the ribbon on the facility. “It’s been a long time coming.” “I only wish that my husband would have been here to see this,” Curnutt said. McGinlay reminded the audience of 200 or so that the facility is “not ours – it’s God’s.” “We dedicate this building to you, to your honor,” McGinlay prayed. The church is now accepting applications for a minister of recreation to run the facility. |
