|
|
||
|
|
||
|
The exchange took place on Jan. 29 as Grace Point Senior Pastor Dr. Phil Griffin accepted the keys to the building from Westmore Senior Pastor Kelvin Page. Providentally, the sale of the building comes three years after Grace Point was founded and the Oneighty opened, both of which took place in February 2004. “This (the sale of the Oneighty) was not something we were looking to make happen,” Page stated, “but the course of events over the last year has brought us to this place and we see it as a divine appointment for both congregations.” Westmore built the two-story 15,000 square-foot facility with a vision for a total youth community outreach, a vision which was difficult in a conventional church campus setting. The Westmore youth ministry acquired rights to the name and concepts of Oneighty, a highly successful program originated several years ago in Tulsa, Okla. The Oneighty was built with an outdoor theme and contained an indoor basketball court, electronic and traditional gaming area, lodge and a café. Weekly youth services as well as classes and community events have been regular occurrences. In March, 2006, Westmore purchased the former Rolling Hills Golf Course on Candies Lane intending to develop a portion of the 175 acres into a campus of ministries, which will eventually include a sanctuary, senior housing development, educational facilities and athletic fields. A master plan for the property, due to be unveiled later this spring, will also include a new Oneighty facility. Westmore has been located at 25th and Wolfe Drive since 1968. In an agreement with the former owners, the Rolling Hills Golf Course remained open for a final season last year and the new owners took possession of the property on Nov. 1. The former Rolling Hills clubhouse and the Jones Wrestling Center at Cleveland High School will serve as temporary activity space for the youth until the new Oneighty is completed. The Church At Grace Point is a Southern Baptist congregation which currently meets in a building on North Ocoee Street near the Crye-Leike plaza. Grace Point plans to begin construction immediately on offices, classrooms and nursery space at the former Oneighty facility. “We (Grace Point) were in a search for land, and were unaware that this property was even available until last fall,” stated Griffin in referring to their new campus. “We will enlarge this building, but there will be no need for extensive renovation. It is a great fit for the way we do church at Grace Point.” The property also includes approximately 13 acres for future expansion should it become necessary. “With what we have here, I don't see us needing to move again for many years to come.” |
||
|
Westmore Church of God - www.westmorecog.org |
||