Archive
Progress on site
As of 9th September 2012
Calman Cancer Support Centre
With us due to receive the keys at the end of September and us moving in on the 15th October, progress within the building is moving at an incredible pace. The outside of the building has been painted and cleaned, the internal glass screens have been installed as has the heating system and radiators, the wooden floor has been sanded and waits a final coat of varnish, the library area has been installed and the kitchen area has just a few finishing touches to be completed.
On the lower ground floor, the tiling is all in place, the toilet stalls have been installed all the doors are hug and skirting boards are in place. The complementary therapy rooms are almost completed with the sink units still to be installed.
The secret garden has been planted thanks to volunteers from Foster Wheeler and Morgan Stanley and donations from both organisations, the front garden hedging has been planted along with a number of specimen trees, leaving only turf to be laid and a few addition plants and the Scots Pine tree to be planted.
The only things outstanding is the installation of the stain glass windows and the delivery of the soft furnishings, all of which is on order and will be delivered during the month of October.
Cancer Support Scotland would like to extend a very special thank you to GBPT for creating such a fantastic building for us to deliver our services from.
As of 1st July 2012
Due to a number of factors (a big one being the weather) work on the new Calman Cancer Support Centre is now due to be completed at the end of August, with doors expected to open week commencing 17th September.
In spite of this delay good progress is still being made and the developments are clear to see every time we go down to visit the site.
The main construction work is now completed, the building’s water tight, and the remainder of the work is now largely superficial.
Inside the building the under floor heating has been laid, the wooden flooring upstairs has been sanded, glass windows are in place, the lift has been installed, the first coat of paint has been applied and the stained glass windows are currently being preserved.
Good progress is also being made outside the Calman Cancer Support Centre. The garden has been laid ready for plants and shrubs, paths have been dug and are being laid around the building and the car park is taking shape too, with the disabled parking marked out.
We are still organising visits to view the centre as it is transformed. Please call 0800 652 4531 for more details.
As of 1st May 2012
Good progress is being made with the building and is still on track for completion on the 27th July. The glass roof corridor is now in place and the building by the end of May, will be completely wind and water tight. The lift has been installed giving access to the lower ground floor as has the staircase. The fisrt coat of paint has been applied to the walls and ceillings and the double glazing window units have been installed in the lower ground floor. The kitchen area on the ground floor will allow us to create the 'Take Care' cafe and it is hoope this can me manned by volunteers in time.
We have recruited a volunteer interior designer Helen, who has supplied us with drawing and costings for each item needed. (These are available for viewing in our current centre waiting room). Helen has been very sympathetic and has listened very carefully to our brief and incorporated materials and furnishings inkeeping with our brand, 'arts &crafts' style and with our clients in mind. The cloth suggested for our sofas is Bute cloth, so a nod to our Rothesey Support Group.
We have a number of supporters who want to help us and we will be utilising their skills as we furnish the building. Jenny who regulary uses and supports the charity works for GalGaeland have kindly donated hand made coffee tables to our specification To keep to our Scottish roots tartan rugs and cushions have also been proposed. Two orginal chunch chairs with reed bases are being restored and can be used as additional seating. Any feedback you have will be considered.
Danwood have agreed to purchase a TV for the groups room and this has been spec’d and can be used for presentation, internet access or watching DVD. Artwork from local students has been agreed and will be place in the Head toToe Salon. Our artwork has been created and will feature on the walls in the Grand Hall, this will explain the significance of the building and its historical value.
The secret garden has been tiered and the flowers and shubs will complement our work. It is hoped volunteers from our corporate partners will plant all the plants and shrubs.
Progress on Site
As of 18th January 2012
There is a 6 week slippage in the programme of works, due partly to weather and other factors on site and a revised completion date of 27th July with an aspiration to complete as close to the original completion date of 14th June if at all possible.
Despite delays affecting the extension the work on the original building has progressed at good pace. In the last report the key structural aspect of realigning the outer wall of the side aisle and pulling the timber posts between the side aisle and the nave back to plumb had been achieved. Progress on this front was essential to allow the contractor to assemble a raft of horizontal scaffold to brace the floor to hold it in position during the excavation and underpinning the lower ground area.
Rot eradication and repairs had been undertaken and that insulated breathable wood fibre insulation board will be used to allow a lime finishing coat of plaster to both accurately replicate the original finish and at the same time ensure that natural and sustainable materials are used.
Work on the stained glass windows will hopefully be instructed shortly. Justification and details of the method for the most appropriate method of their conservation was requested by Historic Scotland and has recently been submitted and a decision is expected in the near future. The plain leaded lights have now been assessed by the conservator and a number of the hasps and movements opening units require to be repaired and in some instances replaced.
Work has been able to start however on the fabrication of the replacement timber frames that the plain leaded casement windows were set into. They are being made on site by one of the contractors senior joiners.
In lower ground floor area underpinning is complete. Excavation works are still ongoing having been very heavily hindered by the amount of rainfall which made conditions very difficult, they are almost completed and some of the foundations have been poured and some of the internal brick walls are starting to rise. (see picture adjacent)
Externally, the slates going on over the insulation boarding are almost complete. Rainwater goods have been fitted to west elevation and lead work ongoing to west elevation.
The steelwork for the extension is on programme and almost complete and the roof timbers are in the process of being fitted meaning the form and the scale of the extension can now be understood.
If you would like to see the works at first hand a number of visits have been organised.
