OCTOBER 11, 2006 Update

                                           Short-term plan for campus maintenance, repairs, & Improvements

Two factors are currently affecting the performance of normal maintenance tasks as well as ongoing and future projects to enhance the property. These are; the resignation of long-time caretakers, Gerald and Dian Smith, and the ongoing review of the future of Snow Springs as it relates to the scope and mission of the State General Assembly, The Church of God in Arkansas.

In light of the fact that Snow Springs costs have exceeded the State Assembly's revenue for the past few years and is annually depleting the financial reserves of the Assembly, the Campground Board has decided to delay back-filling the caretaker position until the Spring. This will save over $10 thousand dollars in costs to the Assembly.

In addition, the State Board of Directors and ultimately, the State General Assembly will be deciding in the near future whether to continue ownership of Snow Springs or sell the property and re-channel the Assembly's financial resources into other methods of local church support. If the decision is to continue ownership and operation of the campground, then extensive structural, building code, and life-safety enhancements must be initiated. A priority plan must be developed as well as a program for financing the projects. Inversely, should the General Assembly determine that the property should be sold, a phase-out plan must then be developed. This would entail continued maintenance of the grounds and buildings as well as completing some structural and life-safety enhancements necessary just to utilize the campus during the divestiture process.

Therefore, until the future of Snow Springs is defined, no substantial costs will be incurred unless essential to the upkeep or short term usage of the facility. Routine maintenance, upkeep, and minor repairs are being procured on an hourly-rate, as-needed basis. Life safety code compliance and maintenance projects that were already underway and substantially paid for are being completed (i.e., the fences, kitchen/dorm life-safety, painting, railing extensions, et al). Other enhancement and/or expansion projects have been put on the back-burner.

Under these circumstances, other than volunteer manpower to perform the tasks, it is felt that no individual or church organization should be asked to contribute financially to any of these projects. Costs associated with completion of on-going projects will be borne by the State Assembly from the campground budget.

Once the future of Snow Springs Campground is resolved, a new plan of action will be developed and communicated to all interested individuals and organizations throughout the state.

Until such time, we sincerely appreciate your understanding and prayerful support of the Campground Board as we work in accord with the State Assembly during this challenging and understandably, controversial circumstance.

Respectfully,
Larry Wilson, Chairman , Snow Springs Campground Board

Snow Springs Campground Projects-to-be-completed


Revised October 7, 2006

1. Construct fence (approx. 350 feet) along east side bordering flea market. 7' steel posts, 21' top rail, and 5' chain-link fencing have been provided and are ready to install. (The steel was donated and the chain-link fencing was provided by the WCG organization.) Total cost to the State Assembly will be about $100. (Note: Actual cost was $193.)
     A. WORKDAY #1: The posts will need to be set in 2' deep holes and filled-in with "Quickcrete" and gravel. A tractor-mounted auger will be best for boring the holes, but a hand held auger will work if a tractor cannot be arranged
Note 1: This work was performed by Clay Shields & Larry Wilson on September 26th 28th, & 29th. This included clearing off the brush, small trees and stumps along the fence line from the highway to the creek. .
     B. WORKDAY #2: The 21' top rail sections will have to be welded in place. This will require a portable gas welder. Once the first few rails have been welded in place, a crew can start installing the chain-link fencing. This should be a one-day project.
Note 2: The top rails were welded in place by Joel & Grant McPherson during the scheduled workday on September 30th.
Note 3: Due to lack of participation at the workday, the chain-link fencing was not installed as planned. This will be accomplished when sufficient assistance can be assured. (The fencing material is on-site, stored inside the swimming pool fence.)

2. Build fences around HVAC units at tabernacle (3 units). Labor only; material is existing.
This could be done the same times as the fence project (1.). Use steel posts and rails from the fence project. The 4' chain-link fencing is on site (provided by the WCG organization). No cost to State Assembly.
Note 4: ( See "Note 3" above.)

3. Complete the foot-bridge life-safety code compliance project. Weld extension posts and rails to existing. Raise from 32" to 48" height. Repair rubber matting on bridge floor.
     A. Steel post extensions and top rail will be provided and pre-cut for installation. This will require a gas welder. No additional materials will be required. (Fencing was provided by the WCG organization.) No cost to State Assembly.
     B. Re-position and anchor (with toggle-bolts) the existing rubber mat on the floor of the bridge. Add additional matting to complete the total expanse of the bridge. Paint the backs and front edges of the steps with yellow or orange paint. State Assembly will provide hardware, paint, matting, etc. at minimal cost.
Note 5: The steel parts are being prepared by Clay Shields and Larry Wilson for installation as soon as can be scheduled. Ralph Brink or Joel McPherson will provide the welder (& welding work)..

4. To comply with life-safety and building codes, an extension on the mezzanine railing in tabernacle building was constructed raising the height from 32" to 46".
Note 6: This project is complete. Cost to State Assembly, approx. $215.00.

5. Install a door in the tabernacle building at the bottom of the stairs to mezzanine level.
This will require a bi-fold door. The opening is 46.5" wide. The estimated cost is about $75.

6. Paint inside of both bath-houses (walls & floor). (We would like this accomplished prior to the Oct. Youth Retreat)
     A. This will require five gallons of paint per building The paint will cost about $200 to $250. Equipment and supplies will include brushes, rollers, sprayers (if possible), and cleanup supplies. With volunteer labor, the total cost of this project could be $250 to $350.
     B. Due to stains and damage from paintball wars and shaving cream fights during camps, some touch-up painting on the exterior of the building is needed and could also be done at this same time. Material needed is unknown.

7. Repair kitchen-hood vent to extend thru roof.
     A. Existing vent pipe does not extend thru the roof. Material required will be appropriate size and length of pipe and an appropriate vent cap. Material can be purchased and charged to the Snow Springs Campground account at Caldwell's Hardware on Highway 5 east of campground.
     B. Labor will involve cutting a hole in the roof above the existing vent pipe. The attic space is easily accessible.

9. Procure a fire extinguishing system in existing kitchen hood.
This system will be installed by the system supplier. The cost (approx. $2,000) will be borne by the State Assembly.

8. Repair pool vacuum line. Line is stopped up between pool and pump house. Maybe no cost, just labor.

9. Remove oak tree at corner of swimming pool.
This tree is a major problem for pool maintenance. Adjacent power lines have already been disconnected to accommodate this project. No cost, just labor.

Note 7: The tree was cut down by Ralph Brink and Larry Wilson and cut-up and removed by Jim Eustace, Steve Jones, and Clay Shields during the Sept. 30th workday. Jim Eustace disconnected and will re-connect the power lines.

10. Paint or stain the exterior of the WCG Cottage.

This is only about 1000 sq. ft. of area (cedar wood). Color should match existing or could match the tabernacle building (taupe). The State WCG will provide the paint. We need a team of volunteers that have access to (and expertise in using) paint spraying equipment.

11. We need volunteers to clean out and organize rooms in tabernacle (storage and nursery rooms, clean out and organize empty cabin, and clean out concession stand rooms & shop.

12. There are leaks in two showers and a leak in the underground waterline behind the kitchen. We need someone with plumbing expertise to repair these problems.

Note 8: Leaks in showers (5) were fixed by Larry Wilson and Gerald Smith. The underground leak was fixed by Clay Shields, Jim Eustace, Steve Jones, and Larry Wilson.

13. The ice maker in the dining hall is inoperable. Repairs will be needed before the Youth Retreat in October.

If you or an organization you represent wishes to volunteer labor and/or material for accomplishing any of these projects please call Larry Wilson to coordinate access to the campground and the availability of materials and tools.

For information regarding these projects or access to the facilities please call Larry Wilson @501-690-0250 or e-mail at jlwhome@swbell.net