News
St. Marks starts renovation project
Scott Wagar
01/28/2014
St. Marks Catholic Church in Bottineau has started a renovation project within the basement of their church, which when complete will grant the parishioners of the church an up-to-date facility to conduct a number of activities.
The project is moving forward due to alkali in the ground which is pushing up the floor and damaging the walls of basement.
The project was started two weeks ago with the removal of the tile on the floor, taking the walls down to the frame and the ceiling to its joists.
In February, Mark and Steve Nelson will start the removal of the cement floor in the basement. After that is completed, a drainage system will be placed in, sheeting to protect the new floor from alkali and floor heating will be plumbed into the new floor.
Once the floor is complete, a new ceiling, walls, windows, lightening, electrical switches and carpet or tile will be placed in the new basement, along with six new classrooms that will replace the former classrooms in the downstairs room.
The classrooms will take up about two-thirds of the basement while there will be an open area in the remaining front part of the basement for meetings and activities.
There is also a kitchen in the basement which will also be rehabilitated during the project.
The project is estimated at being completed by August of 2014 to correspond with Sunday school starting.
This is the first of two projects. The second phase will take place next year and will involve renovation work in the rectory’s basement which also has alkali issues.
The total cost of the two phases of the project is estimated at around $300,000 and the parishioners of St. Marks are taking it upon themselves to care for the cost. Throughout the projects, contractors will be hired to do some of restoration, but the church members will also be volunteering their labor and services to the project.
St. Marks church and its basement were completed in June of 1955, making the basement close to 49 years old.