Give Met A Lift 

Give Met A Lift (2001 - 2006)

The next Met United project was the one with the slogan Give Met A Lift! (GMAL) for the renovation of the south part of the church, including a new elevator. I believe our church member Bill Brady coined the catchphrase. The organizing committee, chaired by Ron Koudys, worked very hard to determine and finalize all the many details to pass along to our selected architect, Bill Ruth, who is also a member of Met United.

I was asked by Ron to act as the Church’s supervisor for the project. During the actual construction period which lasted for more than 3 months, I attended the site most days. Every 2 weeks site meetings were held. This included contractor, some sub-trades, architect, and Church representatives. I ended up with many boxes containing endless reports, including reports of disputes, and many notes I’d taken. Archives Committee Chair, Art Frankel and his committee now have these documents in the Archives Room.

I want it to go on record that this was the only time I have ever received remuneration for my services at Met United. Back then, being younger, I still had my own designing business which I had to put on hold. Ron Koudys was most understanding in my request.

I should add the following comments involving the small kitchen in the Great Room. It has a dishwasher and refrigerator. I ‘scouted’ a firm in Toronto that sells reconditioned kitchen equipment and I bargained for a fair price, hired a truck and went to Toronto to pick them up. They both still work well, with custodian John Lee’s (2014-2023) 'magic fixes.’

I believe I also made, in consultation with architect Bill Ruth, two design changes not included in the original contract:

• (1)  the Church Library which I designed the planning of, and later was able to obtain most of the steel bookshelves free of charge.

• (2)  conversion of the stage area off Metropolitan Hall into the new Archives room. Not everyone agreed with this decision, and I can accept their opinions. Looking back on these costly projects today, I believe it has worked out beneficially for the Church.