Gleeds was proud to support the delivery of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock in Georgia, the largest of its kind in the city. Spanning approximately 405,000 square feet, the development includes a 7,000-seat sanctuary, 60 ft. cross and a striking three-storey lobby.
The facility caters for 14,000 members and 160 staff, with spaces including a secure 52,000 sq. ft. preschool, two indoor playgrounds, a music suite with rehearsal rooms, and various classrooms and counselling areas. Additional amenities include a 2,050 sq. ft. visitor reception, a central energy plant, and parking for 4,700 vehicles.
Gleeds' expertise in project governance and problem-solving played a crucial role in the church’s successful completion, earning the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Excellence in Program Management Award. With extensive experience in providing services for faith-based facilities and religious organisation, Gleeds was brought onboard to deliver various services before and during production. This included:
Quality management
At Gleeds, we take a proactive approach to quality management, ensuring every project meets the highest standards. For the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, we carried out detailed constructability reviews at key design stages to optimise efficiency and minimise risk. Architectural peer reviews helped to resolve coordination challenges early, while rigorous materials testing and handling processes ensured structural integrity. This was particularly important because at the time, this was the largest steel construction project in Metro Atlanta. A phased inspection process, structured by trade and building section, maintained quality throughout.
Cost management
Gleeds’ state-of-the art value management procedures ensured that cost planning, estimating, and value engineering were integrated into every phase of design. Our pre-construction services provided the church with critical cost information, empowering them to make informed decisions on when to take the project to market and achieve optimal value for money. By compiling comprehensive construction documents and well-structured bid documentation, we ensured a "firm but fair" approach to construction administration, securing the project’s success and maximising its value.
Schedule management
Gleeds played a key role in contractor scheduling meetings, ensuring a smooth and continuous flow of work throughout the project. We began with a sequencing plan that included important milestones, which required timely decisions from both the owner and design team, alongside input from all primary sub-contractors. The project’s original schedule set a 109-week timeline for completion. Despite facing challenges from an unusually wet season with 45 days of above-average rainfall, Gleeds worked closely with the contractor to develop a recovery schedule and implement productivity-boosting solutions. Through these innovative scheduling techniques, we helped deliver the project two weeks ahead of the original schedule and eight weeks ahead of the extended contract completion date.
