Campaign Goals and Objectives

Ninety years of use have taken a toll on all facilities at Falls Creek. At the same time, more and more conferences, retreats and seminars are turning to Falls Creek as an ideal meeting place because of its natural setting, overnight accommodations and food service.

Phase I - $28,255,000

Infrastructure and Site Improvements

The first priority was to provide funding for improved roads, bridges, parking lots and water and sewage system upgrades. (Completed: Summer 2004)

Facts About Infrastructure and Site Improvements

1. There are now two entries into Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. The main entry continues to be open at its original location. A second entry, known as the "north entry," comes from the high road south toward the tabernacle. This new access road enables buses a direct route to the tabernacle with drop off points at the northeast and west entrances.

2. Other road improvements include the widening of the main roads to a width of 18 feet with an inverted road drainage system for outflow of water during of heavy rainfall.

3. A new low water bridge on the road south of the new tabernacle site has been constructed.

4. There will be a total of four new parking lots.

The Tabernacle

The second priority of the campaign is to fund new climate controlled tabernacle to replace the old open-air tabernacle.

The 74-year old open-air tabernacle was removed and is being replaced with an enclosed climate-controlled facility. While the new 109,000 square foot facility will accommodate 7,253 people it can also be configured to accommodate smaller sized crowds. State of the art technology will enhance the Falls Creek worship and meeting experience.

Facts About The New Tabernacle

1. The new tabernacle is designed to accommodate 7,253 attendees.

2. The interior of the tabernacle will have an exposed beam ceiling with sloping concrete floors. This sloping floor allows all attendees to have an unobstructed view of the platform. It is 215 feet from the platform to farthest seat.

3. The tabernacle will have 6,853 permanent theatre type seats. Most seating sections will have space to accommodate handicapped persons.

4. The new tabernacle will provide three tiers of seating to accommodate crowds of different sizes for various functions.

5. The new facility will have air conditioning and heating capabilities for year-round comfort.

6. The tabernacle will have state of the art lighting and sound capabilities with two large rear projection screens for visual enhancement.

7. The tabernacle will also have a 3,400 square foot platform area to accommodate the seating of an orchestra and 400-seat choir loft.

8. The new tabernacle will have a 4,000 square foot lobby, which will provide space for receptions and historical displays.

9. There will be ten major entrances into the auditorium along with additional exits for emergency evacuation.

10. In addition to the auditorium, there will be a 5,120 square foot multipurpose chapel designed to accommodate approximately 500 persons. There will also be two counseling/meeting rooms in a 4,382 square foot area that will accommodate approximately 350 persons.

11. The external appearance of the new tabernacle will be a combination of cultured stone with simulated plaster finish. The building will have a high-grade composition shingle and metal roof.

Covered Amphitheater

The Covered Amphitheater was dedicated in May 2005. Built at a cost of $2.5 million, this facility serves as the temporary worship facility while the new tabernacle is under construction. Following the opening of the new tabernacle, the amphitheater will continue to be used as an outdoor meeting site to accommodate approximately 2,500 people. A new 9,000 square foot skate park and under-the-roof ropes challenge course will be ready for use in June 2007.

Facts About The Covered Amphitheater

1. The amphitheater is located at Ball Field #2 otherwise known as "The Crater." The amphitheater allows for simultaneous and large outdoor event schedules.

2. The amphitheater's design allows for enhanced recreation capability and programming for concerts, outdoor theatre, etc.

3. The amphitheater has permanent seating for 1,200 people with temporary / removable and overflow seating of approximately 1,250.

Future Phases

Conference and Training Complex

The third priority is to fund the construction of a conference and training center to accommodate 2,500-3,000 people in smaller size meetings. B. B. McKinney Chapel, built in 1964, and will be replaced with the spacious, well-equipped conference center to meet the programming and training needs of a new generation of church leaders.

Facts About the Conference and Training Complex

1. The new conferencing center will be a two-story building with 43,232 square feet.

2. This structure will be separated into three sections by "breezeways."

3. The conference and training complex will include movable walls that can result in a configuration for up to eight meeting/seminar rooms.

4. The structure will include a kitchen serving area for luncheon or dinner meetings.

5. The conferencing center will have state of the art computerized visual and audio equipment.

Tabernacle Plaza

1. The Plaza will be approximately 60,000 square feet in size with seven types of gathering/meeting venues.

2. The new 7,253-seat tabernacle will border the north end of the plaza. The plaza area located closest to the new tabernacle will include the inscribed stones sponsored through the "Etched in Stone" fundraising program. This venue will be bricks and pavers set in sand on a grid pattern.

3. The proposed Conference/Training Complex will border the plaza on the east. The plaza area adjacent to this complex will consist of pathways meandering through trees and shrubs to provide a shaded park-like scene.

4. A water feature will be located in the center of the plaza. This water feature will allow recreation and aesthetically pleasing venues.

5. The west side of the plaza will be bordered by the proposed 150-room lodge and by the hillside sloping to the creek below. Overlooking the creek will be a 5,000 square foot covered arbor with tables and seating. This gathering venue will include a stone fireplace designed to extend the usefulness of this venue into late fall.

6. Because the first floor level of the proposed lodge will be retail and refreshment venues, the plaza area immediately to the east and north of the lodge will have seating with umbrellas designed to provide sufficient gathering points to support both.

7. The far south end of the plaza directly in front of the proposed lodge includes a cul-de-sac drive to be used for lodge check-in/check-out.

World Missions Chapel and Prayer Park

1. The proposed World Mission Chapel and Prayer Park will anchor the south end of the plaza. The chapel will be approximately 2,800 square feet and will include a 112-seat prayer chapel. To be constructed with the northern one-half of the circular walls made of floor to ceiling glass, the chapel will be used for smaller group gatherings requiring a more reverent setting.

2. During the summer youth encampments the World Missions Chapel will be used as the primary "Save the Planet" venue. Save the Planet is not an ecological/environmental program but is a unique approach to introducing world missions to teenagers. With a dual focus of helping teenagers know more about world missions and encouraging them to be sensitive to the possibility God may be calling them to missions; this approach has seen tremendous success for both. This approach uses visual aids, computer lab and e-mail/IM contact with active missionaries and on-site counseling to assist students in understanding and following God's will as it relates to world missions.

3. The World Mission Prayer Park will consist of a 90-seat amphitheater, water fountain with "floating" granite globe, covered arbor and pavers listing all 77 Oklahoma Counties, 39 Native American tribes. Also included will be a detailed United States map inset into the plaza.

Falls Creek Lodge

1. The new lodge will be a multi-story building with 84,815 square feet of space.

2. The lodge will have 150 guest rooms with 125 being typical rooms, 23 with kitchenettes and two suites with kitchenettes.

3. There will be 4,160 square feet of retail space and a meeting room to accommodate 40 people.

4. The main lobby area will have a two-story fireplace.