Geothermal

Geothermal Update

Geothermal Update
Project Cost: $475,000
Pledge Goal: $300,000
Pledge Total: $206,523.32
Pledge Income Received: $202,069.32
Outstanding Pledge Balance: $4,454.00

Sunday May 24, 2009 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Announcing The Completion Of Geothermal Project

As we celebrate the completion of the work of our Redemption by the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven, we can also joyfully announce the completion of the installation of our geothermal project begun last August!

With deep gratitude to Almighty God, Who makes all things possible, we also want to express our sincere thanks to all those parishioners and friends of our parish, who gave so generously of their time, talent and treasure to help make this renewable source of heating and cooling a reality. Not only is geothermal heating/cooling very quiet, clean, comfortable and efficient in the present, but it has also extended the financial viability, and therefore the life, of our parish for many years into the future.

And on this Memorial Day Weekend, as we honor all those servicemen and women, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we proudly declare our "energy independence" - as never again will our parish be dependant on foreign oil for heat! Such past purchases, which averaged 9,000 gallons a year, would have created an ever increasing drain on parish finances.

We request your continued prayers for God's blessing on our efforts toward the necessary fundraising campaign we began last June.

May God bless and reward all those who have helped us achieve this very important and timely mile-stone in the life of the "cathedral of the prairie."

Thank you and God bless!

Sincerely,

The Geothermal Committee

"Geothermal is now heating the Cathedral of the Prairie to a warm 69 degrees. On Dec. 6th, 2008 there were many smiles as the parishioners experienced for the first time the warmth of renewable geothermal heat. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, people were seen actually removing their coats in the massive nave of the church before Sunday Mass due to the warmth inside!

With our parish's dependency on foreign oil now eliminated, much more work remains to be done to complete the geothermal project: electrical wiring is a top priority as fan coils are being installed in the vestibule, the reconciliation room, the choir loft, the basement and sacristy.

Just recently, a visiting hunter from the east coast, who has considerable experience with geothermal technology and its installation, was very impressed with the quality of the workmanship he saw, so much so, that he gave a generous donation toward the project!

Our sincere thanks and God's blessings to all those who have given, and continuing to give, their time, talent and treasure toward making this urgently needed historic project a reality!"

Sincerely,

--the geothermal committee

      Demolition of all the old pipes and radiators, (many of which were original, dating back to 1912 when the basement was dug out and built) was accomplished by parish volunteers and friends in July. The scrap metal was sold to area businesses and the proceeds deposited in the parish bank account.
      Drilling had begun at St. Anthony's over a month earlier than originally planned due to unforeseen difficulties at two other sites. The 80 wells have been drilled to a depth of 150 ft at the back edge of the rectory property to the east across from the hospital's helipad.
      The dirt and gravel from the wells has been spread to the south side of the Church to expand the gravel driveway.
      16 holes have been drilled into the foundation of the Church basement to allow for the field pipes to be brought into the boiler room, which has been cleaned out and painted white by parish volunteers.

July 24, 2008
Another step in the geothermal project completed this week.

     About 50 volunteers removed the 96 year old heating pipes and radiators from the church. 15 tons of iron and cast were carried out of the basement and upstairs of the Church. The efficient crew of parishioners completed it all in two long nights. Tired and glad to have the project completed, describes their feelings.
     The radiators weighed several hundred pounds each and required several real men working together to get them moved out without any damage to the woodwork in the church. The radiators in the basement were ceiling mounted and required coordination of the men cutting of the pipes and bring the heavy radiators down the ladders to be carried out. The pipes and radiators contained thick black liquid gunk. By the end of the night, the workers had their arms, faces and clothes covered with the black liquid gunk.
     Many thanks also to the Mrs.'s, who helped clean up our messes!