| Sprung buildings springing up 04/14/2001 The Dallas Morning News It's almost like having a 70-by-120-foot billboard.
For 19 months the white tentlike structure – kind of a giant elongated igloo – has caught commuters' attention as they pass Southcliff Baptist Church, just north of Interstate 20 in Fort Worth.
Churches are taking notice, too. At least 100 nationally have bought a Sprung Instant Structure, a line of "relocatable" buildings made of a synthetic membrane stretched over an aluminum frame.
The appeal? They can be built in a few days and they cost much less than traditional buildings.
Southcliff Baptist spent $167,000 on the structure, which seated 700 for worship, and an additional $183,000 outfitting it.
The Rev. Joshua Whitehead, minister of evangelism and outreach, said lots of churches inquired about the building, which Southcliff has put up for sale. The church will move into its new $6 million, 1,600-seat sanctuary on Easter.
Hulen Street Baptist Church, about three miles away, moved into its Sprung in November.
Larry Evans, pastor of administration, said the church spent about $250,000 on the structure, which they plan to use as a worship center for five years. After that, the Sprung will be used indefinitely for recreation, he said.
For more information, call 1-800-528-9899 or visit www.sprung.com.
Marcus Stewart
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