Parish Renovations

Currently:

• Neighbours have high boundary walls which block our Church Entrance
• The Church Entrance is also not prominent and poorly illuminated at night

Renovations Works:

• Install well-lit entrance walls and lighted church signage
• Add a cobblestone pavement at the entrance

Key Benefits:

• Create a better reflection of our Catholic identity
• Refreshed Church Entrance is more visible and welcoming to all
• Paved cobblestone distinguishes the church as a sacred space of prayer and communion
• Improved road safety as cobblestones slow down vehicular speed

Currently:

• Drivers can only drop-off passengers one car at a time, causing traffic congestion
• No shelter, causing the steps to be slippery on rainy days
• Existing ramp on the right of the church leads to a narrow driveway – can be quite dangerous
• During events, there needs to be extra decking set up due to the limited space at the front porch

Renovations Works:

• Extend shelter over drop-off area
• Widen drop-off area
• Extend stairs across length of front porch, and install non-slip flooring for stairs
• Add a new ramp access to the left of front porch
• Expand front porch area

Key Benefits:

• Create a sheltered drop-off point
• Wider drop-off area can accommodate up to a three-car drop-off, improving traffic flow
• Non-slip floor improves safety
• Ramp provides better church access for wheelchairs, prams and the elderly
• Larger porch area for fellowship and increased external seating capacity

Currently:

• Existing air conditioning system is more than 15 years old and is not energy efficient.
• Lighting in Main Church is not consistent with difference in lighting in the centre and at the side.
• Pews are scratched and kneelers are old.
• There are roof leaks in Main Church and Sacristy.
• Cupboards in Sacristy are worn out.
• Water feature at sanctuary back wall is not functioning.

Renovations Works:

• Install new environmentally-friendly and efficient air conditioning system
• Replace fluorescent lighting with LED lights
• Refurbish pews, kneelers and sacristy carpentry
• Repair roof leaks in Main Church and Sacristy
• Re-clad sanctuary back wall

Key Benefits:

• Quieter and more comfortable temperature control
• More conducive environment for Mass and prayer
• Improved brightness and lighting
• Reduced electricity consumption

Currently:

• Main Church, Parish Centre and Parsonage not connected.
• A total of five different levels at current Plaza, making it inconvenient and difficult for parishioners and guests in wheelchairs, with prams or even the elderly to navigate.
• Steps become a hazard for the elderly especially when it rains.

Renovations Works:

• Create a levelled linkway joining Main Church, Parish Centre and Parsonage
• Raise roof shelter

Key Benefits:

• Levelled linkway provides improved accessibility for wheelchairs, prams and the elderly
• Seamless and sheltered connectivity with improved ventilation
• Improved accessibility for emergency and handicapped vehicles
• Spacious environment for church activities and fellowship

Currently:

• Located in the middle of the driveway, “Our Lady of Grace” Grotto is not easily accessible when it is raining. It is also not wheelchair-accessible.
• Vehicles that drive past the Grotto can disrupt prayers and may compromise safety.

Renovations Works:

• Relocate our Grotto into the Plaza

Key Benefits:

• Minimised vehicular noise and disturbance with improved safety for parishioners and guests
• All-weather accessibility with wheelchair-friendly access
• More conducive environment for prayers with increased comfort from better ventilation

Currently:

• The basement houses a poorly ventilated canteen with dim lighting
• Adoration Room is not wheelchair-friendly
• Not enough rooms for Church activities

Renovations Works:

• Shift canteen to first storey of Parsonage
• Expand Adoration Room with new vestibule
• New functional rooms for prayer sessions and meetings
• New Gift Shop and Library
• New nursing room

Key Benefits:

• Wheelchair access to Adoration Room
• Larger Adoration room with improved environment
• Refreshed Gift Shop
• New and conveniently-located Library
• Private room for mothers to nurse their babies
• More rooms created - flexible space with modular walls and furniture to cater for different meeting room sizes

Currently:

• Canteen lacks proper ventilation and is poorly lit
• Existing canteen does not adhere to fire safety guidelines, and drainage is not connected to the sewer

Renovations Works:

• Relocate canteen within Community Hall on the first storey of Parsonage building
• Improve washing and serving spaces, with all works adhering to fire safety and hygiene guidelines
• Create flexible space for gatherings and activities
• Install new air conditioning systems and LED lightings
• Repair leaks

Key Benefits:

• Open and inviting environment with better ventilation and natural light
• Increased seating capacity of 200
• Crowds at bigger events can conveniently spill over to the Plaza as it is on the same level
• Modular furniture with flexible spaces allow for easily reconfiguration of spaces for various needs – study area, meeting/break-out room, community events, camps etc.
• Reduced electricity consumption

Currently:

• Parish Hall has low ceiling which limits view from the floor; columns also block the view from certain angles
• Projector screen is not functioning
• Acoustics can be improved

Renovations Works:

• Relocate and build a new Parish Hall on top floor of the Parish Centre with a sheltered linkway to the Parsonage
• New wheelchair-accessible washrooms
• Install new air conditioning and LED lights
• Relocate children playground to the top floor

Key Benefits:

• Column-free hall with high ceiling  and improved sound acoustics
• New Parish Hall can accommodate a seating capacity of 300
• Flexible space for large and small scale events, seminars and retreats
• Ample space outside Parish Hall for fellowship, food service, contemplation and quiet reflection
• Better connectivity and sheltered access from Parsonage
• Safer environment for children’s playground
• Reduced electricity consumption

Currently:

• Cramped offices for staff
• Priests do not have standardised room size
• Offices are spread out and does not foster a collaborative environment
• No waiting area for parishioners or guests
• Does not fulfil requirement of having a secure counting room
• Ceiling leaks

Renovations Works:

• Relocate Parish Offices to second storey of Parsonage
• Expand offices, new reception area, create multipurpose rooms and meeting spaces
• Install new air conditioning system and LED lighting
• Repair leaks

Key Benefits:

• Proper and dignified office work areas for priests and staff with better security
• Warm and welcoming reception for  parishioners and guests
• Meet requirements for secure counting of church collections
• Proper area for confidential and private counselling sessions, secure archival and server rooms
• Flexible, multipurpose space for prayer sessions and activities
• Reduced electricity consumption

Currently:

• Priests’ living quarters are in need of renovation with leaking roofs and mould in their rooms.

Renovations Works:

• Refresh existing three rooms
• Create a flexible wheelchair-friendly living space with a bathroom facility
• Build a new kitchen and laundry area
• Repair roof leaks
• Install new air conditioning and LED lighting

Key Benefits:

• New living quarters that are simple but adequate for our priests’ needs
• Conducive environment for them to rest
• Rooms available for visiting priests
• Reduced electricity consumption