Design Committee Update

~ August 2006 ~

 

At the June 6 Annual Congregational Meeting, the following information was provided to attendees as a handout, based on a May 15 presentation of new drawings from the Rockdale and JCC architectural firm.  Focusing on the Rockdale Pavilion portion of the project (the all-new construction), the latest design will now include the following.

Lower Level

Fully-equipped kitchen

for congregation and member events.

This is the “Rockdale Kitchen”, a non-kosher kitchen  which can only be used by Rockdale members for events in our social hall, and the only way to have non-kosher food served in the JCC auditorium.

Also for the Soup Kitchen cooking performed by Rockdale members.

Includes a large two-door refrigerator, a large two-door freezer, a six-burner stove top, commercial grade gas ovens, a convection oven, two dishwashers, a three pot capacity sink, a large preparation area, lots of cabinet/closet storage in addition to a separate storage area in our building.

We will have heated carts that can be plugged in anywhere, for transporting food from the kitchen to the social hall or the JCC auditorium.

This kitchen was originally intended to be part of the JCC auditorium complex.  By moving it to our own space, we were able to negotiate with the JCC for additional storage space in their building.

Youth Lounge

Will have its own separate kitchenette including a refrigerator, microwave oven, countertop, barstools and cabinet storage.

With bookshelves, wireless internet access, provisions for the latest in audio and video entertainment, for TV, DVD movies, games, etc.

Design features and amenities will be defined with input from the Youth Group.

Also Includes:

Two handicapped-accessible restrooms

An equipment storage room and other storage facilities.

An elevator (floor space 5 by 7 feet) to access all three floors of the building, with sufficient space for the heated food carts.

Stairwells to also access all three floors of the building.

Ground Level

Multi-purpose Social Hall

Comfortably seats up to 100 at round tables, or 150+ in theater seating.

Can be divided into smaller areas.

Opens onto the outdoor patio area.

Accessible by the new driveway behind the entire Rockdale and JCC complex.

For onegs and many other events that in the past have been held in the auditorium.

An outdoor patio area with room for additional tables/seating.

The Rockdale reception area with a desk and seating.

An extremely unique, welcoming entryway to the entire Rockdale complex (which will include the three-level Pavilion, our administrative offices and chapel currently on the ground level).

The entryway will glow at night, and its roof’s new design resembles a shofar, tying in with the shofar blowers sculpture which will be moved to near the entryway area.

The “memorial garden” (including recognition of those who donated to the Biblical Garden) will be outside the entryway.

Upper Level

An open, atrium-style “mezzanine”, with space open to the ground level below.

Includes the Rockdale Library.

Containing all of the books from our previous library.

Also, a special “Kids Area”.

With wireless internet access.

Displays for artifacts and featured books.

Also, an additional multi-purpose area that could seat an additional 50+ people at tables.

Featuring lots of windows and natural light, above the stacks.

The ceiling is a unique inverted gable design.

Other Information

The Rockdale Gift Shop will be where the temporary library is now (to the left of the current entrance to the office/administration wing).  It will include glass display shelves at the entrance on either side of the doorway.

The Bride’s Room will remain in its current location, and can be used as an extra women’s restroom.

The building plan also includes renovations in the chapel, based on the success of the “Proud History – Promising Future” Campaign. 

Planning and construction of the Rockdale Pavilion is on schedule, with construction to begin in September and to be completed in 2007.

We have recently been provided with a detailed cost and will finalize the construction plans in the next few months.

High Holy Days services this year will be held at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.