SEDALIA, Mo.—Volunteer work by church members saved a church $1 million in costs to build a recreation center they hope the entire community will make use of.
According to The Sedalia Democrat, Maplewood Church invested three years labor and only $400,000 to build a 110-foot-by-150-foot free-span building valued at $1.4 million.
"The majority of the work was done by volunteers giving thousands of hours of their time," said Paul Calvert, building committee chairman.
The Recreational Outreach Center features a stage, a commercial kitchen, nine classrooms, showers and two apartments for visiting missionaries. The center will eventually feature a gymnasium floor and basketball goals, the newspaper reported.
"We want people to know that we have this facility, but it is not just for us—it is for the community," said Keith Sumner, a building committee member.
Other churches and community groups are invited to use the center.
"It would be a shame if this great facility were used only one or two nights each week," said the Rev. Eddie Brown, pastor of the church. "We want something going on here all of the time."
