Construction Progress

Bray & Slaughter the contractors on Filwood Community Centre continue to work hard on the refurbishment. Heavy rain in spring and uncovering additional issues with the building have delayed the opening. However, the timber frame forming the walls and roof structure to the three new extensions has been completed and the steel frames that support the masonry façades on the front and rear extension have also been installed, together with the internal steel work that provides additional support to the existing building structure.

Roofing

The roofing works to both the existing roofs and the new roof areas is near completion including the installation of the roof lights, and the second phase of external ground works is now well underway. Many of the windows have been installed, and the external wall cladding to the three new extensions is in progress.

Internally, most of the existing roofs have now been insulated and the installation of ceilings and partition walls and the lining of the external walls are being progressed throughout the existing building. Ceiling plastering has commenced and insulation to the floor areas in the new extensions is now complete. The installation of the new electrical systems and building services is under way.

Upcoming Activities

Over the next quarter the remaining roofing works will be completed. Cladding to external walls on the new extensions will progress together with the installation of the remaining windows and doors to these areas.

The new masonry facade on the front and rear extensions will commence in the coming months alongside external works to landscaped areas including the internal courtyard.

The installation of the new ceilings and walls will be further progressed internally combined with the wall finishes and the building services and electrical installation.

The internal carpentry works is also planned to start within the next quarter alongside painting of walls and ceilings.

Supporting Local Young People

A key focus of Bray & Slaughter’s community work has been supporting young people to explore careers in construction, while building confidence and understanding around the skills required for different roles. Bray & Slaughter have deliverof 70 hours of careers and skills engagement have taken place across six South Bristol secondary schools and the South Bristol Skills Campus, supporting young people from Year 7 onwards. Sessions have focused on helping students understand career pathways and what the world of work can look like for them.

As part of Bristol’s World of Work Speakers Festival, organised by My Future My Choice, the Social Value and EDI Manager took part in a careers session at City of Bristol College. During the event, they were interviewed by a local student in front of more than 70 fellow students. The session outlined what it is like to work in construction, the different pathways available within the industry, and the value of networking and reaching out to employers. Students were also encouraged to approach interviews with confidence, with the reminder that being invited already reflects that they have the skills needed to be there.

Considerate Constructors Scheme

Bray & Slaughter are committed to being good neighbours. Their latest Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) audit resulted in a perfect score of 45/45 “Excellent” rating.

Site and street safety

To keep everyone safe the temporary parking restrictions remain in place around the Filwood Community Centre, including the closure of a section of Barnstaple Road at the front of the site to provide segregation from the site activities access and exit routes for construction traffic.

This will be in place for the duration of construction works.