On April 28 Bishop William Huras and Pastor Joanna Malina consecrate the building site and participate in a sod turning ceremony to signal the start of the project. It is not quite seven years now since the initial spiritual seeds were planted. Excavations begin in preparation for the laying of the physical foundation. On August 2nd, the long anticipated building permit is issued and construction can now begin. Bill Mcfarland leads a crew of volunteers who labour hard to close in the building before the snow comes.
Work continues in the unheated church throughout the winter months.
Prayers of support and hot meals are supplied by the women of the congregation and keep the volunteers spirits high. Jaak Vanker suffers a heart attack while installing drywall. Dr. Paul Jacobsen and Scott Sauve administer CPR and John Williams summons help through the 911 operator. The ambulance arrives quickly and rushes Jaak to the hospital where he receives further treatment and makes his recovery. The proposed completion date of the first Sunday after Easter is reevaluated.