Scottish Charity No. SC 033675
Limited Company No. 272750
Community Centre Progress
Keep up-to-date on the progress of our new community centre.
Here we will be showing weekly photos of the build and telling you how it is getting on. Come back regularly when construction starts mid-February for all the latest.
Pre-Construction
Here you can see the the site before any construction work took place. On the left is the edge of land adjacent to the Whisky Distillery building, and on the right is the empty plot where the new Community Centre will take pride of place.
Preparing the Site - 5 February 2011
As can be seen, the workers are preparing the land for the start of construction by diverting the water supply to the area. The steelwork for the Centre is currently being forged elsewhere, and it's only eleven days until the construction period begins.
Final Stages Before Construction - 13 February 2011
On a very wet and windy day the construction site is getting ready for the concrete foundations to be laid in three days time. Much of the heavy machinery from last week is gone and lots of concrete blocks are dotted around the site. Deep trenches criss-cross the ground in preparation for the beginning of construction.
Construction Begins - Turf Cutting Ceremony 16 February 2011
At the beginning of construction work many PPP Directors and representatives from MM Miller, GA Barnies, and Pentarq met to 'cut the turf' as the concrete foundations were laid.
Those in attendance are named starting from the left: Graham Miller (GA Barnies); Katrina MacNab (PPP Staff); Michael Smith (MM Miller); Yvonne Hendry (PPP Director); Anne Belton (PPP Director); Simon Coles (PPP Director); Stewart Henderson (PPP Director); Grant Ramsay (PPP Director); Neil Bain (PPP Director); Julie Cassidy (PPP Staff); Eric Farquhar (PPP Director); Alan Gray (Pentarq).
Construction - 21 February 2011
The concrete foundations can be seen to the left of the first photo, creating a solid grounding for the Community Centre to be build on. The steel framework is nearing the last stages of fabrication and should be erected on the site soon.
Construction - 26 February 2011
The concrete foundations are still being laid, with new, deep trenches appearing each day. Much of the construction site has been cleared of debris and everything is really taking shape; you can get a good feel for the size and shape of the new Community Centre by examining the ground. We are now roughly half-way through the laying of the foundations phase.
Construction - 5 March 2011
The site is looking very organised and the holes for the foundations are much better defined than before. This is the last stage before the steel framework begins to be erected, hopefully within the next few days. When this happens there should be big changes in the appearance of the site every day, so keep checking this blog for all the latest!
Construction - 12 March 2011
There are some big changes in the foundations, with all the trenches now filled with concrete blocks and steel fabrication lying round the site ready to be used. On the concrete blocks you can see steel pins sticking out where the framework of the Community Centre will be placed, giving a good idea of the shape and scale of the building. Let's hope the weather stays nice enough so as not to hamper construction!
Construction - 19 March 2011
The final week before the steel framework is erected. The site is nearly prepared now for the big chances it will see over the next few months. Pretty soon this site will have a sturdy framework on top of it - the new PPP Community Centre.
Construction - 4 April 2011
In the space of two weeks the construction site is barely recognisable. The trenches are now filled with concrete and the foundations are finished, but the biggest change is obviously the stunning framework which seems to have sprouted up in a matter of days! By viewing this impressive structure you can really get a feel for the scale of the finished building and how magnificent it will look. There's still a lot to be done, but it's incredible to see just how far we've come already.
Construction - 11 April 2011
Construction continues to progress smoothly on the new Community Centre. By looking at the bottom of the steel framework you can see new, yellow steel supports in place to keep the building secure and safe, and several large blocks of concrete have been moved to the front for later use. The next part of the build will be the placing of substructure walling, which will see the present outline turn into something which looks much more like a building.
The Steel Framework Goes Up - March 2011
These exciting pictures show the day that the steel framework for our new Community Centre was first erected on the site. This saw a major step forward in the construction phase, and made an incredible impact on the aesthetics of the build.
Construction - 18 April 2011
From these sunny photos you can see the substructure walls beginning to be built round the base of the framework with lots of materials placed near the front fence for use. There's lots of activity on the site with new sections of the walls being built every day.
Construction - 26 April 2011
The substructure walling is progressing well and an entire network of walls and supports can now be seen, outlining the different rooms which will be in the completed Community Centre. It shouldn't be too long now until the ground floor slab is installed and the bottom of the Centre will begin to take shape. The constructors have been working very hard and each new day brings big changes to the site. A visit to the site is definitely worthwhile and interesting.
Construction - 2 May 2011
The substructure walling is progressing well, and the ground floor of the new Centre is being laid this very moment. Cement trucks were at the site on Wednesday, May 4, mixing and pouring the cement for the ground floor. The construction workers have been at the site almost constantly for the last week, taking advantage of the beautiful weather we're having.
Construction - 9 May 2011
The substructure walling is very high now and still growing, and the ground floor is progressing well, creating the solid base where the reception, cafe, and créche will be in the completed building. Other features of the build on the ground floor will be the multi-functional sports/conference hall, the youth drop-in rooms, and even an artist's studio for arts and crafts classes.
The first stages of the scaffolding being erected can also be seen.
Construction - 16 May 2011
There are some major changes since last week - the first floor slab is now in place and the substructure walling is showing the contours of the building better. Scaffolding is clearly visible around the perimeter giving access to the first floor. This stage of construction will last until the end of May, when the under floor heating pipes and concrete screed will be added to the ground floor.
Construction - 23 May 2011
Timber additions are now visible on certain parts of the building and some doorways and other aspects of the finished structure are starting to be seen. Work is still being carried out on the upper floor with the large network of scaffolding being put to good use. Over the coming weeks more work is due to be started on the roofing and the ground floor which will really make a difference to the aesthetics of the site.
Construction - 30 May 2011
The timber framing has started going up in earnest and sections like the roof to the multi-functional hall are gaining form and definition. More individual rooms are starting to take shape and lots of work is going on behind the walls which you just can't see from the street.
Construction - 13 June 2011
The substructure walling has now towered up to the very roof of the building, showing the various rooms, doorways and windows of the finished Centre. Although the scaffolding obscures much of the exterior, closer inspection reveals lots that's been going on in previous weeks. Concrete screed is currently being laid on the ground floor and the final sections of the timber roofing are being added.
Construction - 20 June 2011
Plastic sheets have been brought in to protect the walls and substructure from the elements (much needed if the weather when these photos was taken is anything to go by!) and workers have been up on the roof getting ready for the next phase of building. The roof cladding is due to commence in the next few days, followed towards the end of next month by the actual roof construction. In no time at all the Community Centre will be ready for its internal fittings!
Construction - 27 June 2011
Work is still progressing on the roof and additional work is being carried out on the front entrance where the reception will be. Inside there is a lot of work being carried out on creating the walls which separate the different rooms and the floors on the ground and first floor are being prepared. It is amazing to see the building at this stage after such a short period of time.
See the inside of the Community Centre as of 28.6.11
Take the tour of the building and see what will be on offer come February 2012
Construction - 4 July 2011
Today there's lots of activity on the Community Centre roof, with rolls of material and metal sheets grouped together ready to be used. This is all in preparation for the roof cladding. Also, on the northern side of the building workers are already roughcasting the walls. Very soon it will even be time to put in the windows!
Don't forget that you can see inside the Community Centre by clicking here
Construction - 11 July 2011
Work on the roof continues this week while the window spaces on the top floor now have wooden covers over them. Many of the outer walls are now being prepared with cement and roughcasting and there's lots of activity inside as the workers construct the rooms, hallways, and work on building the elevator shaft.
Construction - 19 July 2011
Each week the Community Centre looks more impressive and this week is no different. Almost the whole building has now been roughcasted and towards the rear the wooden facade is being added, giving the whole centre a clean, smart appearance. The windows are being installed on the ground floor rooms and we are nearing the final stages of the roof construction.
Construction - 25 July 2011
Lots of work is now being carried out inside the Community Centre with the internal walling being completed, the lift shaft nearing completion, and finishing touches going towards making everything structurally perfect. The exterior is looking great, with all the walls roughcast and the windows being installed. Soon the roof light will be put in place and with the final touches added to the exterior the scaffolding can come down, revealing the facade.
Construction - 1 August 2011
Work is currently ahead of schedule on the Community Centre and as you can see some of the scaffolding is already coming down. The finishing touches are being added to the ground floor rooms and soon the internal fit out will begin where all the essentail features will be installed.
Construction - 9 August 2011
Parts of the building are now clear of all scaffolding. The rear of the premises has had virtually all scaffolding removed, while the south western wall has also been cleared. This section is where the MAASK children will have their soft play area on the ground floor. A band practice room and ICT training suite will be on the first floor above.
Construction - 15 August 2011
More scaffolding has come down on the rear of the Community Centre as work still continues inside on placing plasterboard and preparing for the decorators. Colour schemes are being picked for the rooms and different furniture considered to make the Centre both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Construction - 22 August 2011
From the pictures you can see that some more of the scaffolding is now down from around the front door to the Centre.
The interior of the Centre is still being worked on, getting everything ready for the installation of features such as the training kitchen. The training kitchen will be the perfect place for young chefs to practice their recipes, receive support and even allow the public to test their baking.
Construction - 29 August 2011
Construction - 5 September 2011
Construction - 12 September 2011
In these photos you can see material such as wood sitting outside the building, ready to be taken inside and used to work on some of the rooms. Wooden stakes have been driven into the ground just in-front of the building with marks on them to measure some of the proportions for the car park and pavement which will sit directly along the front of the Centre.
Construction - 19 September 2011
More of the scaffolding has been removed, this time from the main entrance. Diggers have been working on the ground outside of the Centre, preparing for what will eventually be the car park and pathway leading to the main entrance. Inside work is still progressing on the emergency fire exits and stairways, while rooms are continuing to be finished.
Construction - 4 October 2011
Work is continuing on the car park and walkways to the main entrance. At the front of the building you can see that the cafe's window structure has had some pieces added to it, and as always the interior has been getting extensive treatment, with lots of hard work going into finishing off rooms, corridors and stairs. PPP is already looking to hire some new staff for when the building opens - you can find full details here: situations vacant
Construction - 10 October 2011
As can be seen from the photos this week the final windows are being installed to the front of the building. These windows are in the PPP staff office. The ground in front of the Centre is still having work done to it with pipes and drainage going in before work begins later in the year on the car park. Inside, decorating is already taking place, with the walls being painted and the carpets being laid.
Construction - 17 October 2011
From these photos it can be seen that the front windows have now been installed to PPP staff offices, while the windows looking into the cafe/restaurant area are nearly completed. The ground at the front of the building is still being worked on with pipes being laid and the ground made ready for what will eventually be the car park.
Construction - 25 October 2011
The
main staircase inside the building has been installed, providing access
to all the upper floor rooms such as the IT training room, band
practice room and the training kitchen. The kitchens have both been installed now in the upstairs training kitchen and the cafe/restaurant kitchen which will serve the public tasty snacks, meals and refreshments. Finishing touches are being made to some rooms, with carpets being fitted and walls painted.
Construction - 31 October 2011
Work is continuing on the main entrance to the building where the wooden barriers have been taken down to allow for the main doors to be installed. The ground in front of the building is still being prepared, and windows (those for the right wing fire escape) have been installed. The Centre is looking very impressive.
Construction - 7 November 2011
The front of the Community Centre is having the pavement at the entrance laid and workers can be seen carefully positioning each stone. When the path is finished it will make the front of the Centre look very welcoming. Inside the Centre fittings such as lights and flooring are being added to many rooms.
Construction - 14 November 2011
As can be seen from the photos more work has been carried out on the front of the building with workers busy creating the front path and car park. With lots of the stonework down it gives the front of the building a completely different appearance.
From these photos you can also see some of the interior lighting on in the PPP offices.
Construction - 28 November 2011
Construction - 5 December 2011
Construction - 12 December 2011