Cornerstone Church Rescinds Sales Offer

The board of Elders and Trustees of Cornerstone Church in Grove has voted to rescind any and all offers to consider entertaining and/or selling the facilities and property.

In a letter to Connie Brewer, chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, Pastor Bill Lay said "it was never our intent to put our facilities 'on the market'--we have been approached about selling but never gave it any consideration."

"The only reason we considered it this time was because we saw the value this would bring to the Grove community. It seemed to represent a 'win-win' situation for us and the community. New city offices, theater, and aquatic park, in one location…would have been wonderful for Grove."

"It was a valiant effort for a noble cause which should have gone beyond partisan politics," Lay said. "I want to thank you and the Blue Ribbon Committee for all the work which you put forth in attempting to provide the Grove community with an outstanding opportunity," he said in his letter.

The Blue Ribbon Committee presented its final recommendations to City Council in July, which were met with deafening silence. Councilman Larry Parham said the numbers presented in the study were incorrect and the true cost of a new community center was beyond the city's capability at this time. He also said a new swimming pool could be built for around $1.3 million and he hoped that would be accomplished within a year.

The Committee had proposed purchasing Cornerstone Church, adding seats to the auditorium, remodeling the building for banquets, meetings, and other events; adding a 50,000 square foot building for large events like the Boat Show; selling the current Civic Center; and building a new pool near the Church location.