Chair Replacement Project

As is clearly evident, the chairs in the All Saints nave are in bad shape. The upholstery fabric has not withstood the test of time. Parish Council asked Ron Dyck and Debbi Toole to investigate options for re-upholstery or replacement of the chairs.

The first step was to determine that the chair fabric coverings were not under warranty. We also learned that the company which supplied the chairs was no longer in business.

The project started with the idea of just recovering the chairs. After some cost estimates from commercial upholstery firms, we deemed that this was not financially viable.

We then contacted a firm based in Lethbridge, ComforTek, which supplied chairs for worship spaces. When we learned that they supplied chairs that looked very similar to our existing chairs we asked if they could supply replacement seats and backs. The exact model was no longer being manufactured, and the cost of custom-made replacement seats and chairs was prohibitively expensive. What we learned was that our least expensive option was to replace the chairs. While this seemed wasteful, since the frames are in good shape, we finally agreed that this was the best way forward.

In our communications with the sales representative for ComforTek we learned that:

• the fabric degradation on our existing chairs was due primarily to UV exposure from the uncovered clear glass windows
• the red colour was the worst colour for fading due to UV exposure
• commercial grade fabric with UV resistance was a custom order, at a higher cost

ComforTek found a source for the commercial grade fabric with UV resistance from a supplier in Edmonton (J. Ennis) at a reasonable price. The chair frames are manufactured and assembled overseas with the Ennis fabric. Since this is a custom order, the lead time is 20-22 weeks after the sales order is signed.

We checked with other suppliers of worship chairs and found that their prices were 50 to 75% higher than ComforTek and that was for the standard chair, without UV resistant fabric.

Our recommendation for procurement from ComforTek, with cost estimates based on the quotes from ComforTek, were sent to Isabel Weeks, the Diocesan Chancellor, who approved the purchase. Thanks to the advocacy of Ruth Pickett-Seltner and Isabel Weeks, Diocesan Chancellor, the executor of the Mather estate has authorized the expenditure of up to $22,000 for this project.

We are purchasing 110 chairs, 55 without arms, 55 with arms. This will replace all the existing chairs in the nave. The chairs will have card pockets on the back and wire book racks, identical to what we have now. The colour is blue with some black. A scan of the fabric sample is shown below. The total costs, including shipping and taxes, are $16,419.75, well within the budget.

There will be additional costs associated with the disposal of the existing chair. Do we try and sell them ‘as is’? Do we remove the seat and back cushions and sell the aluminum frames to a metal scrap company? Do we offer someone to take them away at no cost to us and let them get the scrapping money? Do we try to sell them? Do we junk them?

At the time of the delivery (August 2025) we will need 6-8 people to help unload the semi-trailer and dolly the chairs into the church. The semi-trailer will have a lift gate and we have purchased a special chair dolly for the task. Given the age of our parishioners, it may be wise to hire some strong people to do this work. There would be enough funds in the budget to cover such a cost.

If you have questions, ask Ron Dyck. The specs for the chair and fabric can be downloaded by clicking below.  I will have a fabric sample at the church on Sunday.

Ron Dyck