31/03/11 - Thomas Vale tops out in Telford

The 37 week project will provide the centre with a new entrance, public concourse and events suite to hold up to 1,500 delegates, together with internal refurbishment and reorganisation of the Southern elevation of the centre.

Over 100 guests attended the afternoon event which began with presentations from Keith Greetham, Chairman of Southwater Event Group, Councillor Andrew Eades, Telford and Wrekin Council and finally Tom Gray, CEO of The International Centre.

Guests were then given the opportunity to tour the current facilities as well as the construction site where the new Ludlow suite is being built. This was then followed by a topping out ceremony where the first roof sheet was laid.

Doug Hunt, Site Manager, Thomas Vale Construction commented; “The event which was organised by Southwater Event Group (owners of The International Centre) was a huge success. We are privileged to have been asked to attend the ceremony where we had the opportunity to meet with the end users of the project. We have just reached a huge mile stone by completing the steel frame, with the roof substantially progressed and the glazed panel installation commencing.”

The structure so far consists of approx’ 300 tons of steel which is the equivalent to 12,000 bags of cement, 3.1 miles of cold rolled cladding rails and purlins, 3.53 miles of hot rolled steel. And the roof trusses are 34 metres long which is length of 3 Double Decker buses end to end.

The overall project is a joint initiative between the Southwater Event Group and Telford & Wrekin Council. The 55 acre site around the existing Southwater area in the Town Centre will be radically regenerated by introducing a new 143,000 sq m mixed-use development. The scheme will bring together new cafes, bars and shops, a 12,500 sq m leisure scheme including replacements to the existing ice rink, bowling and bingo hall, new housing, 25,000 sq m offices with further expansion proposed and a new hotel. Meeting Point House and the Library would be replaced with new, improved community facilities.

The masterplan will create a thriving night time economy with The International Centre at its heart, and this will help to make Telford an even more attractive destination for people to visit.