Butetown Community Centre

Descriptions

The Butetown Community Centre is a new build project which forms part of a successful European and WAG funding bid to regenerate Butetown. A package of regeneration projects has been put together over the last few years to reflect the needs and the priorities of the Butetown community. The package totals £7.6 million and includes a new purpose built community centre, new youth pavilion, grant scheme for community organisation and businesses, an employment and training centre and estate regeneration work.The New Butetown Community Centre has been designed as a three storey development with an anticipated cost of approx £2.0m. The building will provide a wide range of community facilities including reception, multi function rooms, café/bar areas, offices, crèche, IT facilities etc. The design of the building has been undertaken by Atkins who is the multidisciplinary framework consultant to Cardiff Council. It is intended to stipulate in the Design & Build contract documents that Atkins' contract will be novated as a multi disciplinary design consultant to the contractor’s design team. The New Facility will be constructed on the same site as the existing Community Centre. The new contract will include demolition and site clearance. The new centre is intended to be operational by August 2012. The programme will require an initial site start with demolition works and asbestos removal commencing on 1st August 2011 and an anticipated start to new construction works on 12th September 2011. The programme requires the contract to be complete by 13th July 2012 with an overall contract period of 50 weeks. The new building is required to achieve a BREEAM Excellent accreditation and provide a suitable, well designed and cost effective solution to meet the specific needs of the community users. The advice from the BRE is this Community Centre needs to be assessed as a BREEAM ‘Bespoke’ development and the credit schedule has been prepared on that basis.The design for the building needs to promote environmental sustainability. As this is a European funded project there is a requirement for a Bespoke BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building. Issues that need to be considered:European funding projects need to maximise the energy efficiency of the site and premises at initial design stage and integrate renewable energy sources where possible. WEFO requires a minimum standard for recycling content: at least 10% of the total value of materials used should derive from recycled and reused sources. Other materials where not recycled should be from local sustainable sources.The design needs to consider ‘secure by design’ principles.The project involves the redevelopment of a key community building in Butetown, one of the most multi-cultural and disadvantaged communities in Wales. Construction operations will need to be undertaken in a way which minimises disruption, disturbance and inconvenience for residents. The contractor will need to be aware of the sensitivities of operating in a multi-cultural environment and demonstrate strong community liaison arrangements. Community benefits in terms of employment, training and supply chain processes will also be advantageous.