Airromeo4Ever Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Church Buys Water Park Worship Center, Sports Complex Planned. FOREST PARK - The growing Inspirational Baptist Church is planning a $20 million investment over several years on the former Surf Cincinnati property here. This week, the church, whose congregation has grown from about 300 to 1,500 over the last five years, completed a $925,000 purchase of the 14.2-acre Surf Cincinnati site from Hoeweler Realty Inc. The outdoor water park, which featured a wave pool and a variety of slides, closed in 2002. The property on Sebring Drive overlooking Interstate 275 has been largely abandoned. Bishop Victor Couzens, senior pastor for the independent Baptist church at 9208 Daly Road in Springfield Township, said the first phase of the project, expected to cost between $6 million and $8 million, includes a 1,500-seat worship center with a 300-seat chapel. The church also wants to build a 15,000-square-foot indoor sports complex with a roller-skating rink, and room for volleyball, soccer and other indoor sports. Couzens said the church also plans to restore one of the swimming pools on the property, which, like the sports complex, would be open to the public. "We want these facilities to be open to the community, so they can be part of revitalization of the area," he said. A second phase calls for building a $10 million hotel and conference center on part of the property. Couzens said the church, which was founded in Walnut Hills 50 years ago, is in discussions with a hotel developer for that phase slated for 2010 or 2011. Further in the future, he said, the church wants to build a $4 million social-services center that would offer job training, tutoring and other community services. The church, which draws its congregation from an area stretching from Northern Kentucky to Dayton, Ohio, will launch a capital fundraising campaign this fall for the first phase of the project slated to begin in 2009. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../708030332/1076 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 ^ Maybe we will see another big butter Jesus except it will be along I-275 now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airromeo4Ever Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Guys please forgive me for mispelling "Cincinnati" in the head line. Trust I Know Better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeLorean Rider Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 ^ Maybe we will see another big butter Jesus except it will be along I-275 now No Good Well they've alread got a wave pool they can stick him in, lol. The waves of sin will never bring down big butter Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Remember when Churches used to be about Charity and Worship? Them were the days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 You obviously can't put Jesus in the wavepool... He'll just walk across it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaman Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Wow. That sounds like quite a project. My church would just like to finish the building we started 15 years ago (The church split before the sanctuary was built, and we've been worshiping in the fellowship hall since then) I can understand the sports complex and social services center, but a hotel and conference center? I guess it would be a good way for bringing in money and business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sounds like Sister Mary's Chapel meets the Great Wolf Lodge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 hotel and conference center would be developed by another entity. otherwise it could have been the second coming of "Jim and Tammy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I bet they're going to be selling Buddy Jesus in the gift shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 no, my understanding is that the "buddy" would be in the hotel room nightstand drawer next to the "Gideons." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenageninja Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Maybe they'll build a giant Moses parting the waters of the wave pool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 ...maybe they'll move Noah's Ark from Kennywood to Surf Cincinnati. K, lame joke but I love that ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Actually Boddha, Noah has a Kings Island connection. He made a cameo appearance in the commercial advertising the arrival of Amazon (Congo) Falls...... years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Ha wow, I totally forgot that it used to be called Amazon Falls until you said that. Good catch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN1993 Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I remember watching the craftsmen skulpt the Amazon Falls (Fountain/Sign) out of Concrete. Was very coolk how it was done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtk Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 where does a church get such money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 where does a church get such money ...generally from its members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monroe Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 The growing Inspirational Baptist Church..........Featuring the worlds largest baptismal font!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeLorean Rider Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I remember watching the craftsmen skulpt the Amazon Falls (Fountain/Sign) out of Concrete. Was very coolk how it was done. Yea but I'm sure glad they saved the Falls part when they put the half ass canvas Congo sign on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Kentucky Kingdom has a very similar concrete sign for its Mile High Falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I wonder what pool they're hoping to renovate? Last time I was there none of them were in great shape...particuarly the wave pool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOB_TOM Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 That just needs a little Jesus and TLC...... Possibly one last miracle from Jesus to help. How rich ARE these members? Maybe I need to start sending my local Boy/Girl Scout troop to their neck of the woods..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Yeah, ain't tax free status just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JjAmSaOnN Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Churches are now in business. Sick huh? So much for non-profit. What happened to helping those in need I thought that is what a churches are for? And they wonder why people don't go to church anymore nor believe in em. BTW ... this topic should have been under general discussion about other parks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 not defending the "acts" of some churches... but there is a HUGE misconception that churches are ONLY there to help those in need or charity. That misconception is why millions that otherwise would not have darkened the doorstep on September 10, 2001 flocked to the seats on September 12.... and forgot why they came by January 1, 2002. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley_Davis Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 The purpose of purchasing this property is to expand the church and draw more people to the church. Why is it an issue when a church wants to be productive and expand not only there ministry but there business as well? Yes, church is suppose to help those in need. They are supposed to provide for the homeless and for those who can't do for themselves. But, how can we provide for these people without money, or resources. Food, shelter, clothing, money, etc. are not free. They cost! I am a member of this phenomenal ministry...yes, it's not just a church. The vision of our pastor is a broad one, but so was the vision of Bill Gates, Donald Trump, The Hilton's and etc. Why can't we have success within the church without someone questioning the sincerity of it. Come on people! Don't you think it's time to stop "hating" on the success of people. Why not join in, you just might be blessed by it as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 ^ You're absolutely right. Plus if they add more activities to the church, it could bring people in and make them more active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Butcher Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 The purpose of purchasing this property is to expand the church and draw more people to the church. Why is it an issue when a church wants to be productive and expand not only there ministry but there business as well? Yes, church is suppose to help those in need. They are supposed to provide for the homeless and for those who can't do for themselves. But, how can we provide for these people without money, or resources. Food, shelter, clothing, money, etc. are not free. They cost! I am a member of this phenomenal ministry...yes, it's not just a church. The vision of our pastor is a broad one, but so was the vision of Bill Gates, Donald Trump, The Hilton's and etc. Why can't we have success within the church without someone questioning the sincerity of it. Come on people! Don't you think it's time to stop "hating" on the success of people. Why not join in, you just might be blessed by it as well! I see what you mean, I also hope there is some goodwill in the new plans not just another "church goes berserk and instead of opening a christmas soup kitchen opens a hotel and waterpark". On a side note, we have big butter jesus, is a Moses made of cheese in the plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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