[VIDEO] Massive construction at Watch Tower Society
The new building at this Jehovah's Witnesses branch is being built to house the growing demand for bible literature.
Did you know the new structure at the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, or the Jehovah’s Witnesses branch, can fit three Boeing 747 airplanes?
This impressively large new addition to the Society or Bethel on 1 Robert Broom Drive is part of the branch’s expansion to produce and store the increasing demand for bible literature. The branch expansion project includes the building of a shipping warehouse, a second printing press, and a five-storey resident building, which is already completed.
According to Rowan Brooks, a member of the branch committee, more bible literature is being printed every year and there is a great need for additional storage space.
“We print literature for over 15 000 congregations in 20 African countries.”
Adjoining the new warehouse that will hold all of its booklets fresh of the printing press, an administration building for the Regional Audio Visual Centre is also being built.
“The centre will include state of the art recording studios and editing facilities,” says Ryan Flynn, the project’s engineering coordinator.
Engineers working on the project designed the new addition with energy efficiency in mind. Three generators are always on standby so that the printing can continue, regardless of load shedding.
“We installed solar roof panels to make use of the beautiful sunlight we have. Rainwater from the roads and building are directed into a large storm water pond and slowly discharged into a local stream.”
Roy Cox, Bethel’s spokesperson, says the new building at Bethel (meaning House of God) is completely reliant on volunteer workers and donations from around the world.
“We have a few hundred brothers from all over the world and sisters who volunteer and lend their mechanical, engineering and management skills to the construction of the building.”
The construction of the new shipping warehouse is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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