Beaverton church has plans to expand

With a throng of supporters in tow, Beaverton Presbyterian Church unveiled ambitious expansion plans at Monday night's council meeting.

Rev. Barney Grace and parishioner Jim Hughes outlined the new $2-million building that they hope will soon be built on the church's current site.

"We're looking to our future," said Mr. Hughes, co-chair of the church's development committee.
"No frills" repairs to the current building would likely cost more than $500,000 due to its "severe deterioration."

The current building is roughly 3,700 square feet in size. At 12,000 to 14,000 square feet in size, the plans for the new building include a much larger banquet room, additional office space and a gymnasium. It would also be more accessible.

The expansion is also being prompted by planned growth in the village.

"There's great potential in our community," Mr. Hughes said.

"It will grow and our church must grow with it."

One sticking point for the new building is the lack of parking, which cannot be accommodated on the current property. With that in mind, church officials asked for the old hydro building on John Street to be declared surplus by council and sold to the church at market value.

That building, which is owned by the municipality and leased to the Durham Regional Police, generates approximately $18,000 in revenue for Brock Township each year.

Rev. Grace explained that a police office could be included in the design for the new church.

"We agree that downtown Beaverton needs a police presence," he said.

The church also has an agreement to purchase the other two properties south of the hydro building, one of which is owned by regional councillor John Grant, who declared pecuniary interest in the matter and excused himself from the council chambers.

"We're not looking to become real estate moguls," Mr. Hughes said in an interview following the meeting.

"We just need sufficient parking for the new church, which will be benefit to the community."

The additional parking could also be used for residents going to the Farmers' Market, the library, the town hall or shopping in the downtown core.

"It's a win-win situation for all," he said.

Rev. Grace said that the church did consider alternate locations with no luck.

"We've looked at 10 other locations... an no suitable site could be found," he told the members of council, who passed the issue along to staff for a report.

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