10/08/09 - New beginnings for Blakenhall Neighbourhood Centre

Local Contractor Thomas Vale Construction is due to start work on a brand new multi-million neighbourhood centre for Blakenhall, following the completion of the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ St Lukes School, Wolverhampton.

The flagship development on Bromley Street, which will cost an estimated £5.7 million, will provide a community building, managed by Wolverhampton City Council, in order to significantly increase the high level of existing facilities in the area. All Saints and Blakenhall Community Centre (ABCD) will be the majority funders for this project by contributing £5 million towards the total amount. The design teams, Thomas Vale Construction, Architype and ABCD have produced artist impressions of what the building will look like. One of the main features is a multi-purpose hall for sport, recreation and community activities. The environmentally sustainable building will also include a community café, crèche, fitness suite, exercise rooms and information desk, as well as computer facilities, meeting rooms, offices and areas for training.The highly insulated timber frame building with many energy saving features will make it cheaper to run and comfortable for users. Externally, it will be sympathetic in design to compliment the new St Luke's Primary School by use of sustainably sourced timber cladding. It will also feature a robust Corten steel cladding facing public footpaths, giving reference to the industrial heritage of the local area. A vertical green "living wall" facing the future Blakenhall Gardens public park will integrate the building into its surroundings and provide habitat for natural wildlife.Project funding has come from ABCD and Wolverhampton City Council who will manage the centre once complete. Chris Huddart, Wolverhampton City Council’s Head of Community Services, said: “We are sure that this new neighbourhood centre will become a thriving ‘one stop shop’ sitting at the heart of the local community. It will act as a meeting place and social centre, and offer a wide range of health and well-being related activities provided in partnership with Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust as well as other recreational and learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.”The new and exciting neighbourhood centre is due to be completed by September 2010 and will be available for both the school and the surrounding local communities to use. Kevin Zamur, Contracts Manager, Thomas Vale Construction, comments: “Thomas Vale Construction are extremely pleased and excited to have secured the Blakenhall Neighbourhood Centre after the recent success of St Luke's School and look forward to working with .Wolverhampton City Council, ABCD and the design team in delivering another successful project “.Martin Rudge, ABCD Resident Board Member, said: “This exciting multi-use neighbourhood centre will be at the heart of the community and provide a place for local residents to meet and socialise together with superb sports and fitness facilities.

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