Friday, November 19, 2010

Grand Opening of the Lakeview Lodge!!

After 8 years of prayer, giving, and labor ... the LAKEVIEW LODGE is complete!  This summer we officially opened for use and had a celebration on Oct 2.  With capacity to serve 300, this building is a much needed space to serve campers and retreat groups.  The building also offers additional meeting spaces, storage space, and programming areas.  We are exciting to be expanding ministry opportunities through the use of this building!
View from the lake.  The lodge has a wrap-around porch including 2 covered porch areas for rainy days.
Bob VanDyke (right) is our Director of Site Development.  He sold his contractors business to become a missionary with Camp Beechpoint and has now been on staff for 12 years.  "Uncle Bob" drew up the plans for the building and provided oversight for the teams of volunteer workers.  Bob Bakker (left) is one of the many volunteers - he has come to camp a couple days a week to serve ... for the past 7 years!  Since we have a Bob the Builder on staff I always call him Bob the Baker, but somehow it hasn't caught on yet, lol.
The building was built with the help of 900+ volunteers, many of whom dedicated years of service to this project.  Many volunteered professional skills such as plumbing, electric, carpentry, roofing, and contractor skills.  There is an estimated 1.5 million dollars in estimated savings because of those who gave their time and talent to this project!
The Lodge will allow us to host multiple and larger retreat groups, which is one of the ways we fund camper scholarships.  We also gain more flexibility in our winter programming with the added indoor space.
The view of the dining room.  It has already been utilized for meals, banquets, weddings, retreats, seminars, trainings, and (of course) the grand opening celebration program.
The commercial kitchen on move-in day.  Our old kitchen was the size of the kitchen in my parent's home.  Great for a family, but super tricky for 3 meals a day for 200 people!
The dish room might not typically be a highlight.  But for anyone who's done dishes at Camp Beechpoint this room is a mecca of air conditioning, solid flooring, bright lighting, and space!

3 comments:

  1. Wow Megan what fantastic pictures. I love the new lodge. We have lots of snow and blowing now. so it is really coldsome days. I am so proud of what you are doing for the kids. You really have a nack with them to get them to respond. Love that talent in you.
    Know I am still praying for you. I love you, Grandma Jan

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  2. I agree with Jan. the Lodge looks wonderful, I am sure you are so glad to have it. And yes, we continue to pray for you too. Yesterday, when Laura realized that Dan had entered into the Lord's presence, she said, 'Mom, now who is going to pray for me? I know that when Dan said he was praying for me, he meant it. Now who will step into those shoes?' We all need someone praying for us, we are for you. And we are for Laura too, and I know Grandma Jan is too. And I am also so encouraged by the fact that God the Holy Spirit living in us to pray for us even when we don't know how to pray, and that right now, the task of JC is to be interceding for us! With prayer power like that, we are covered.

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  3. This is great...how awesome it is to see all that God is doing through this ministry. Lots of nice pictures and comments. You truly have a gift giving and compassion for others. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings! Taunya

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