After the fire department alerted us to leaks at their end of the building, and several people had warned us that the decades-old roof was likely to fail very soon, we realized it was finally time to replace the roof that shelters our shrineroom, the gift store, storage space and a Gold Ridge Fire Protection District station. Because more damage could be lurking, and with warnings of extreme El Nino conditions this coming winter, and because roofing has to be done during dry weather, we decided to use our emergency funds to move ahead as soon as possible.
We consulted several contractors, then selected a local company with an excellent track record, who quoted the replacement at $166,512 for a metal roof. In addition to the cost of the roof replacement, we also had to pay an additional $18,120 for solar panel removal and reinstallation on the new roof; this has brought the total expense of the project to $184,632.
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Metal roofing is the gold standard for fire resistance — the shrine building is not only the heart of our center, but also serves as the officially-designated shelter-in-place location for PPI and local residents in the event that we are not able to evacuate during a wildfire. While a metal roof is more expensive, it is an investment in the long run, as it will not have to be replaced in any of our current lifetimes. Having a reliable roof is critical in case of wildfire emergency situations, and to hold up against the weather conditions of our geographical location; we are the rainiest place in California and also of course in a high-risk fire area.
As of mid-October, we have been able to raise over $50,000 for the project, and we are extremely grateful to friends and sangha worldwide who have been so generous in supporting this project. Obviously we are still far from meeting the total cost, and so we invite people to donate whatever they can, one-time or as a monthly donation, to contribute to this beautiful new roof — which is now complete, and just awaiting the re-installation of the solar panel array! Thank you for any offering you are able to make — every dollar counts, and is a solid investment in the safety and wellbeing of the community for decades to come.
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The new roof, before solar panel reinstallation!