The Creation of Kunzang Khang
In Remembrance of Project Manager Grover Overstreet
Enjoy these photos of Kunzang Khang, the beautifully designed multipurpose building at Serenity Ridge Retreat Center, headquarters of Ligmincha International. We also share a few sangha memories in remembrance of Grover Overstreet, who was the project manager on the construction of Kunzang Khang, which took place over a year and a half period. He passed away from cancer on September 1.
The completed Kunzang Khang (House of All Goodness). Photo by Vickie Walter.
Named Kunzang Khang (House of All Goodness) by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, the building was completed in April 2018. A special blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with many in attendance to celebrate: students, neighbors, lamas, local Tibetan residents and project manager Grover Overstreet, along with others who worked under his supervision.
Grover Overstreet, project manager for construction of Kunzang Khang. Photo by Brian Harris.
Early sketch of building with color
Grover and Rinpoche with April 2017 plans
Excavation of building foundation.
Initial construction, July 2017
Wonderful signs during construction
We were so fortunate to have had Grover as our project manager. He always looked out for Serenity Ridge's best interests in the many decisions that had to be made during construction.
–Sue Davis-Dill, Executive Director, Ligmincha International
Grover amazed me with his ability to practice equanimity in the face of all of the chaos that naturally occurs onsite with a building project such as this. As the project manager, he was the representative of the general contractor and orchestrated all of the countless subcontractors hired to get the job done. He was also the liaison between the general contractor and all of the various design professionals, all of the building inspectors, the engineers and all of the representatives of Ligmincha. It was mind-blowing how well he was able to balance the many disparate needs and wants of all interested parties. And he did so with a skillful softness most of the time, and then he utilized a fiery wrathfulness whenever it was called for.
One day early on in the initial phase of construction of the building, I saw that he had nailed to the rough opening of the building a list of a dozen or so precepts for the myriad subcontractors and construction workers working throughout the space of the building. Among the precepts, written in thick carpenter's pencil on a simple torn scrap of cardboard nailed to the doorway so that all who walked in would see, were theses commands: no chew [ed: chewing tobacco]; no cursing; no tracking in mud from boots . . . a dozen such commands written to kindly keep the job site orderly and nice in the midst of all of the goings-on over the coming months.
–John Massie, Designer and Retreat Center Developer
Views from the side and the back of Kunzang Khang. Photos by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Views from the side and the back of Kunzang Khang. Photos by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Rob Patzig, Khenpo Ngawang Dorjee and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Photo by Regula Franz.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Rob Patzig, Khenpo Ngawang Dorjee and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Photo by Regula Franz.
VOCL editor Aline Fisher, project manager Grover Overstreet and building designer John Massie. Photo by Brian Harris.
Ki Ki So So Lha Gyal Lo! Photo by Polly Turner.
Grover was always polite and big-hearted, ready to do whatever was asked of him. Even after the building was finished, he continued to come to Serenity Ridge, helping however he could with the maintenance of all the systems in the building. He lived out in the country but near Serenity Ridge and though not a practitioner, he gravitated there so naturally – what great karma!
–Jeff Fisher
While I didn't know Grover directly, I saw his hard work come to life whenever I came to Serenity Ridge over the couple years that it was being built. Just amazing! I attended the ribbon-cutting and when I saw him there, I was quite moved, seeing his dedication and pride in this spectacular accomplishment.
During this past summer retreat with His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin, I was continually reminded of all the great work done on the Kunzang Khang – as we did trul khor practice on the deck in the morning with such beautiful views; as we practiced in the spacious downstairs room of Kunzang Khang; when we enjoyed the Sa Le Ö concert in comfort and ease, and of course during all the wonderful meals held inside the newly acoustically sound dining hall – all were a true joy.
–Aline Fisher
Photo by Melissa Katz
Photo by Maria Quintana
