Catching the Wind

Words by Chris Major

Photos by Julie Harris

When I saw David Leigh, site manager for Parkinson Building Contractors who are building the new LifeCentre, a few days ago, he had more good news to report.

The roof is now waterproof, which with the weather we've been having is - helpful - to say the least! Ducting is now in place for the air conditioning, and wind catchers that will allow fresh air into the auditorium (and very importantly - get stale air out!!) have been installed.

So the airconditioning will keep us cool in the summer, but what about coping with our lovely northern winters?! Well, underfloor heating is being laid throughout the building. What's more the inside of the building is really taking shape with all internal partition walls having now been erected.

All of the mechanical and electrical work is progressing well on schedule. The car park, which will be underneath the auditorium, has now been tarmacked. Window frames have all been prepared on the ground floor and first floor and it is planned to fit glass this week - so do keep a look out when you're walking past!

The brick work is now finished all the way round the building!! David said he still had to arrange a start date for rendering, so if you look around the exterior, any exposed blocks you see will be coated with a white render. David says he hopes to have the scaffolding around the building removed by the end of July - and that'll be the exteriors done!

Among the next jobs on the agenda is the plastering on walls and ceilings. Then there is the decorating, the internal joinery and the installation of the bathrooms, which are to be done around the middle of August. Carpets and vinyl floor coverings will be fitted towards the end of summer.

On balance, work is still running a little behind schedule. The heavy rain we have had has caused a delay in installing all the air conditioning ducts, wind catchers and windows. However, by contrast work on the inside of the building is now a little ahead of target with an average of 30 men now working on the site every day!! So we're still on for opening before Christmas!

Generally speaking, relations with our neighbours remain very good. There have been one or two complaints about parking, which was a bit inevitable since additional workers have been on the site recently. David says that new people are asked to park sensibly, but he still expects the occasional phone call from nearby residents.

The design team - made up of church Vision Partners - have been busy selecting colour schemes, fixtures and fittings which will bring the interior of the building to life (pardon the pun!) and we also recently began discussions with a sign manufacturer on commissioning something for the buildings fascia that will make a big bold statement to the community. Watch this space...