Zachary Christian Maloy, 2, sees a real-life “Builder Bob” every morning. So explains Zachary’s grandfather, Thomas Ierubino, who lives near the Potomac United Methodist Church, where a new parish building is under construction.
When Zachary wakes up each morning, “He doesn’t call for Mommy — he’s looking for Builder Bob,” Ierubino said, referring to the popular toy. “He’s a Builder Bob fanatic [and sees] the trucks and the tractors and the hard hats.”
Zachary and his family are following construction on the parish building, which is scheduled to finish in October or November, with the classrooms in the building likely to reach completion next month, said Carol Armstrong, the chair of the church’s building committee. “In a perfect world, we would be finishing this building in early September,” said Armstrong, who said bad weather last winter forced delays in the construction.
The previous parish building was demolished last month, and the church office and preschool staff temporarily operate out of a trailer in front of the church. The preschool continues in the basement of the worship building. “It’s not ideal, but people are coping with great spirit,” said Armstrong.
Church officials displayed building designs by William Doggett Architects at public community meetings two years ago. “We were very concerned with the landscaping,” said Ierubino, who attended the meetings. “They were very gracious in explaining their plans to us and accommodating the things we wanted.”
“It hasn’t disrupted us at all,” Ierubino continued. “They try to keep construction to a bare minimum during the off-hours in the morning or early evening.”
The church’s annual Pumpkin Festival will not happen this year. Although Armstrong believes the church will be able to accommodate the event by the time, it was cutting it too close, she said. “They didn’t want the uncertainty.”
Potomac United Methodist is in the process of determining the date for the laying of the cornerstone and accompanying service, and Armstrong expects it will happen in mid- to late September. There will be a time capsule in the cornerstone.
“I am most excited that we are going to have constructed, safe, handicapped-accessible space so that everyone in our community can enjoy our parish building,” said Armstrong.
<1b>—Alex Scofield