Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, part of the Portakabin Group and the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has started work on a contract worth in the region of £500,000 to construct a much-needed Youth Centre in the Hampshire market town of Romsey.
The scheme is Foremans’ fifth project for Hampshire County Council in the last year.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction works on the site. The project is jointly funded by Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council and will provide young people in Romsey with a purpose-designed facility, in an accessible location close to a sports complex, cricket club and skate park.
Designed by Hampshire County Council’s Property Services team and built by Foremans, the centre will be all on one level, making it fully accessible, and will offer facilities for wider community use.
Foremans is constructing the building from recycled steel modules fitted out with all-new fixtures and fittings – a faster and highly sustainable alternative to site-based construction methods but with no compromise on quality. This innovative approach will reduce work on site to just 10 weeks so the new facilities will be up and running for use by the local community at a much earlier stage – and with a lower carbon footprint.
Due for completion in Spring this year, the building will be operated by Youth in Romsey, a charitable organisation offering support and information for young people aged 11 to 25 years. The charity has outgrown its current premises and needed better disabled access and a more suitable location for its activities.
Commenting on the project, Ricky Barford, General Manager at Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, said, “We are delighted to be involved in the construction of such a valuable community facility. We are also proud to be working on our fifth project for Hampshire County Council in less than a year.”
“The cost, speed and environmental benefits of recycled and refurbished modular solutions are proven and far outweigh site-based construction. The approach will provide young people and the wider community in this part of Hampshire with a high quality, purpose-designed building for generations to come.”
Test Valley Borough Council’s Community and Leisure Portfolio Holder, Councillor Tony Ward, said, “I am delighted that work has commenced to deliver the new youth centre, and I am pleased that we have been able to work with Hampshire County Council and Youth in Romsey to help make this happen. We are committed to supporting our communities and this new facility will ensure that Youth in Romsey can continue to offer an incredibly valuable service to young people in the area. I look forward to the completion and opening of the new centre later in the year.”
A large activity room, a smaller group room, a consulting room, offices and kitchen will be provided in the centre. Externally, the building will be brick-clad with an integral canopy over the main entrance and solar panels on the roof.
The refurbishment of modular buildings is one of the most environmentally-sound methods of construction – helping to reduce carbon emissions, waste sent to landfill, and improving a building’s carbon footprint, with no compromise on quality or design flexibility.
For further information about refurbished Portakabin buildings, visit www.foremansbuildings.co.uk, email info@foremansbuildings.co.uk, or call 01964 544344.
