Steel
frame structures piled foundations
Conlon Construction Ltd - "Magnificent": Prime Minister Tony Blair Praises Conlon Construction's Groundbreaking New-Build School
The Prime Minister Tony Blair
has described a Conlon Construction new-build partnered project
as "one of the most magnificent things I have seen."
Visiting the Platt Bridge Community First Complex in Wigan last
week, Prime Minister Blair added,
"This is a facility that is world class . This is a symbol of
how with the right creativity and imagination and vision you can
effect change."
Conlon Construction, based in Bamber Bridge near Preston in
Lancashire, built the new Platt Bridge Community School as part
of the new £13 million redevelopment scheme.
The development was built over 56 weeks on an existing mineworks
using piled foundations and a steel frame structure. The
external envelope of the building was made up of an innovative
mix of materials including Sarmafil roofing, Eternit cladding, a
Kalwall glazing system.
NPS North West Ltd. designed the school in partnership with
Conlon Construction in a contemporary style incorporating many
sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, rooftop solar
panels, low carbon emissions and high efficiency heating.
Platt Bridge Community First is one of the UK's first
full-service extended school complexes built to provide a wide
range of public services on one site. In addition to the new
school, the development also houses a new health centre;
children and family support centre; GP's surgery; a pharmacy; a
physiotherapy unit and hydrotherapy pool.
Conlon Construction operations manager Guy Parker said,
"It has been a privilege for Conlon Construction to be part
of such a high profile development. It gives us a wonderful
sense of pride that the building has received such high praise.
"We would like to thank all stakeholders for a great team effort
in constructing this partnered project and we look forward to
thousands of Platt Bridge residents enjoying the facility for
many years to come."
The centre was built after the closure of two schools in the
area.
Frank Costello, deputy chief executive of Wigan Council, who has
led the project from its start, said,
"We see this wonderful development as a blueprint for the way
local services will be provided in the future.
"What could have simply been a school closure has become a
catalyst for change and the means by which local services could
come together to transform life chances.
"It shows what can be achieved where vision and leadership come
together, blending the best of public, private, voluntary and
community sectors. There was a willingness to modernise and test
new ways of working for the benefit of the people we
collectively serve."
Platt Bridge Community First School Head Teacher, Sue Derbyshire
added,
"The building is fantastic and everything we wished for and
more! The standard of the fixtures and fittings supplied by
Conlon Construction Ltd is excellent. The high standard of
everything in the building is always commented upon by our many
visitors. We are a flagship school and the building itself
reinforces this."
Other recent prestigious Conlon Construction projects include:
Guardian Angels Office building for Blackburn with Darwen
Council; a new £5 million distribution centre for TNT UK Ltd;
and, the redevelopment at the Grade II Listed Grand Theatre in
Clitheroe incorporating a new 350 seat auditorium and associated
facilities.
Email:
richard@thebuzzfactory.co.uk