The welcoming of Spring brings new life, lighter days and new progress news at Cardigan Primary School
As the daffodils dance in ever strengthening sunlight and crocuses make their final push to poke through sodden earth, LEB too are entering into a glorious phase of the Cardigan Primary School renovation and extension project.
Entering the 36th of our 64-week contract programme, you’ll see below how we have taken on the nine areas of the project and have already completed and handed back eight, which the school are now reaping the benefits of.
This is our fourth project update and the second of 2023, providing an up-to-date report on where the £2.73m renovation and extension project is currently at. These works will see the existing 1950s school, home to Cardigan Infant and Junior schools, renovated and expanded by 423m2, increasing to an overall 1766m2.
Works include a new look to the school’s main entrance and reception area, a new link extension that brings together the Junior and Infant buildings, a new staff support area and a two-storey rear extension with additional fire exits and WCs, and a new lift will provide access to the Junior block.
This fourth progress report, following on from progress reports 1, 2 & 3, is divided into ten project areas.
Latest News:
Area 6 – Link building
You’ll recall that this link building was split into two parts following the discovery of a Welsh Water mains pipe. This allowed work to progress in Area A and be paused in Area B while Welsh Water undertook diversionary work on the intruding pipe.
The link building is a single-storey extension and forms the largest element of the project. Once constructed, it will provide a new Parent Room, Staff Room, Staff Work Area, two Year 3 classrooms, a Library along a wide sweeping corridor, a Nook, new WCs and a photovoltaic array on the new flat roof.
Since our last report (Progress Report No. 3), work has gathered pace, as we are now able to work on the whole of Area 6 once again.
The entire ground floor slab has been poured and 95% of the structural walls are up to wall plate. The lift shaft overrun has is to completed.
This week, we have posi-joists being installed to form the new roof. These will then be covered and insulated. The roof system is an EPDM, a synthetic rubber that’s highly durable and the same as we used in Area 10. The whole roof should take two weeks to complete.
The beginning of April will see the area become watertight, with the installation of new windows and doors, allowing for services to start to be installed, with MEP taking the lead.
Dot and dab will follow before walls are plastered and skimmed in mid-May. External rendering will be completed by the end of April, with all painting and decorating set to be finished for Area 6’s completion around the start of the school summer holidays.
Area 7 – New heating and disabled toilets
This section comprises mainly MEP works set to be undertaken over the Easter break.
Area 10 – Rear stairwell and WCs
It’s great to confirm that Area 10 has now been completed and handed back to the school.
The works consisted of the construction of a two-storey extension, stairwell and toilets – new boys’ WCs on the ground and first floors – tying into the existing Junior block.
Have a read of our first progress report? (Click here)
A steel staircase, powder coated in modern anthracite grey, was installed and contrasted with a misty white finish to the surrounding walls. Elsewhere, white walls give way to night sky grey laminate floors throughout. Barrier matting was laid next to the new door.
Integrated Plumbing System (IPS) cubicles were utilised for the three WCs.
The final works on the exterior included the completion of the exit ramp to the new fire escape door, with key clamp hand railings. Rainwater pipes and gutters were installed to take rainwater from the roof and complete the aesthetics of the render clad extension.
Previously completed works:
Area 1 – New toilets
The scope for Area 1 was the refurbishment of the existing WCs opposite Classroom 7.
As reported in Progress Report No. 2, these works have been completed and successfully handed over to the school.
Area 2 – New school Main Reception
A single-storey extension of the main school entrance creates a new Reception, General Office, Headteacher’s Office, Meeting Room, disabled shower, link corridor to the existing school structure and a store room. This has now been completed and handed over the school.
The exterior of the new Reception has been clad and takes on a bright modern appearance. Vertical Cedral Click cladding is contrasted by red smooth Rockpanel cladding.
A newly completed ramp helps provide easier access, while external works including tarmacking and new manholes has also been completed.
Adding character inside are three painted feature walls finished in dark blue to complement the school’s colour themes, as requested by the headteacher. The remainder of the walls are finished in a tasteful off-white with a blue hue, plus a crisp white ceiling.
Underfoot, a barrier mat has been laid at the front entrance to help keep the outside out. Grey vinyl adorns the floors of the Reception and corridors, while offices have been treated to hard-wearing carpet tiles finished in dark grey.
Visitors will now be greeted by a new oak reception desk which stands proud and welcoming for those stepping through the all-new entrance.
The new fire alarm and burglar alarm systems have been commissioned and are ready for connection to the rest of the school once works are completed.
Area 3 – New corridor
The new corridor has been completed and is already in use, frequented by scampering little feet.
These works involved the creation of a 3.5-metre-high corridor consisting of new stud walls fitted with plasterboard panels and a plaster finish. The walls and ceiling voids have been installed with fire protection and MEP works were completed ahead of painting and decorating.
The new corridor also creates additional space for the new classroom in Area 4. Area 3 was completed in the summer and handed over to the school.
Area 4 – Conversion of ‘conservatory’ area
A new single-ply membrane Alumasc roof was installed along with two new windows and a fire escape. New electrical supplies plus the provision of a data connection point and power supply for a wall-mounted smart touchscreen board completed the conversion of the former conservatory.
New MEP supplies a new kitchen area with units and worktop, complete with sink. The new heating was commissioned along with an MVHR air circulation system.
Area 4 was finished with new carpet tiles covering around a third of the floor space and vinyl flooring covering the remainder.
Externally, a new smooth-finish red Rockpanel cladding has been installed, and fresh tarmac has been laid to the extended path and new ramp.
Area 5 – This section has been omitted
Area 8 – Removing Nursery toilet to create space for gym equipment
Area 8 incorporated plans to remove the existing Nursery WC, which was replaced by the new WC facilities in Area 9, to create additional space for gym equipment storage. Works included the installation of new steel beams where walls were to be removed, as well as making good to walls and new floor coverings.
Work were commenced and completed in the summer of 2022.
Area 9 – Corridors, kitchenettes and WCs
Corridors were formed to the new stairwell and WC of Area 10, along with two additional disabled WCs on the ground and first floors for the Lower and Upper Juniors, respectively. Additionally, new kitchen areas in two classrooms and a temporary fire escape were planned.
Work was commenced and completed in the summer of 2022, along with structural openings through to the lift shaft. This will be where the lift doors are.
Variations and additional works
Following on from the completion of the drainage repair works, a new gas meter and cabinet has been installed to replace the existing.
Work experience
Two students will be on site for ten days to get an inside look at construction works. Both will be able to shadow a Senior Supervisor during their time on site.
Cardigan College offers a variety of courses for those intent on a career in construction, from apprenticeships to diplomas in carpentry and joinery, construction and building services engineering and trade skills, as well as part-time electrical courses.
Site visits
Our monthly progress meetings have continued, allowing us to show the client our continuing progress on this project.
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