By RACHEL PLEASANT

LAKELAND - Lakeland's Henkelman Construction is in the midst of a multi-phase project at First Baptist Church at the Mall, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland.

The project should be finished in late December and encompasses approximately 100,000 square feet of the church's 400,000 square feet.

Henkelman's work consists of remodeling the preschool, children's area, young married couples area and two median and senior adult areas.

The work on the preschool actually involves two phases. When finished, it will have a nursery, an area for 2- and 3-year-olds, restroom facilities, a small snack area and a check-in/check-out desk, said Mark Watkins, project manager.

The children's area, located in the former Morrison's Cafeteria, will include classrooms, a play court area for games and a stage for performances that will include retractable bleachers.

The young married area will include classrooms.

The median and senior adult areas will include classrooms and a catering kitchen.

The youth area will have classrooms and space for physical activities.

Watkins said the most challenging parts of the project have been overcome by the project's architect, Jon Kirk of Lakeland's Swilley Curtis Mundy Hunnicutt.

"You find unanticipated things in the structure," Watkins said. "We found the installation of the floor tile and substrates in the old Morrison's area not to be what we thought they'd be. We all felt that the floor system and concrete underneath would be built one way, but until you start tearing stuff apart, you don't find out that it was built another way."

Overall, though, Watkins said the project has gone smoothly.

"It's a well-thought out project," he said. "The design team has done a great job and I think it will suit the church's needs."

The church role includes 8,000, but on any given Sunday the church accommodates 2,800 to 3,000, Mason said.

Project cost is $3.3 million, Watkins said.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20080607/NEWS/806070302

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