Halfway There

Words by Chris Major

Photos by David Rolles

The great news to come out of my recent meeting with David, our site manager, is that the new LifeCentre is now past being halfway complete!! Many of you, I’m sure, will have seen by now that the new building has a roof and that the inner wall is going up fast.

Ground floor

All the concrete floors have now been poured including the ground floor. Safety netting is in place under the roof and scaffolding has been erected right around the building. Under the concrete slabs, drainage and ducts for power cables and water pipes have been finished. The lift pit has been excavated and more than a quarter of the brick and block work that makes up the interior walls is now complete.

Main Hall from downstairs

Hanging baskets have been put in position to allow electricians to run cables and work has also begun to install the ventilation and the plumbing. A crane came on site two weeks ago to lift on a corrugated tin sheet for the part of the roof which will go over the auditorium. Glazing has now been ordered as part of an ongoing programme of procurement leading up to the completion of the work.

Moving to the exterior, the neighbouring car dealership - Robins and Day - have very kindly given the builders permission to take over a small section of their car park so that scaffolding can be erected. This was needed to for a steel staircase to be placed onto the south side of the building.

Whose lives may get transformed in these rooms?

At this point if you went up and pressed your nose against the glass of the small windows in the hoardings you'd see that work on the exterior brick wall is now well under way. It's a really exciting phase of the project as the walls take the form of how the building will look once it's finished. David informs me that the brick and block work will carry on right throughout the month of May, so do go and have a look if you're passing on Washway Road.

Upstairs looking out onto Washway Road

We had a months delay at the start of the project, however David hopes that by the height of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in early June, everything will be back to the original schedule. Multiple trades are now operating onsite including ground workers, roofers, bricklayers, scaffolders and electrical and mechanical specialists. Work is proceeding without difficulties so it is likely that time can continue to be clawed back meaning that the target for completion of the build is now early October.

Wow! Imagine what will happen here!!  

It's pleasing to know that the site's Health & Safety record is impressive. There have been no reportable accidents and no visits from the Health and Safety Executive. Parkinson’s own Health and Safety officer has twice given the site a 10 out of 10 score!

David reports that relations with our neighbours are still good. A newsletter is sent out to residents and businesses once a month and whatever complaints are received seem to be coming from a vocal minority. 

The offices will be upstairs towards the main road

Overall, David says that the job is going well and he is enjoying it. The team are taking pride in their work and are happy to be engaged on such a good job. And they have been pleased to see the interest taken by various people from LifeChurch popping in, as it makes a change from the men in suits he is accustomed to seeing! There is an upcoming Open Day on Friday 4th May. Click here for more info and to find out how to reserve a place. 

That's all for now. Do keep praying for favour and blessing for all those involved in the project. 

God bless.