P&K McKaigue Ltd has delivered a vibrant new community facility to the people of Shantallow, Derry city.
The £2.2m state-of-the-art Shantallow Community Centre replaces the former centre which served the community for over four decades on the same site.
P&K McKaigue spent 13-months onsite (three months offsite due to Covid lockdown) during which the leading constructor of community centre and sports hall facilities partially demolished and refurbished the existing building. This structure now houses the reception and admin areas, a fitness suite, minor hall with catering kitchen and a toilet, showers and changing facilities. A brand new extension was built to accommodate a large sports hall and modern plant and switch rooms to heat and power the new complex.
This thoughtfully conceived and well-built piece of modern architecture is designed to serve the Shantallow community for decades to come.
Padraig McKaigue, Contracts Director for P&K McKaigue said, “This was a great project to be involved in. The Works information called for a split of high-quality office and community training facilities alongside enhanced fitness and sports facilities. This is what we have delivered; a much-needed space in a socially disadvantaged area that really adds to the community environment.”
Speaking at the official opening of the new Shantallow Community Centre, the Mayor of Derry and Strabane Alderman Graham Warke praised the work of all involved in the delivery of this “important capital project.” Adding, “This new facility will become an even more important hub, accommodating a wide range of activities, and providing a modern and welcoming space for people of all ages in the area to enjoy.”
Welcoming the opening, the Council’s Director of Health and Community Karen McFarland, said this vibrant new facility will “significantly improve the community infrastructure in the Outer North Community Area.”
Cathal McCauley, manager of Shantallow Community Residents Association, who hold a Shared Management Agreement for the Centre with DCSDC, said, “This new building now provides us with greater opportunities to deliver vital community services in an area which suffers from extreme levels of deprivation.”
Challenges
The three-month delay caused by the Covid-19 lockdown and the ensuing labour and supplies shortage was the main challenge to the project. “Obviously, this was a challenge that nobody had encountered before,” said Padraig. “To mitigate the negative effects to the programme, we worked collaboratively with the design team and the client rep Fergal McNicholl to agree a pathway forward.”
With over 40 years experience in the construction industry, P&K McKaigue Ltd has successfully completed a wide range of projects for both the public and private sectors. During the past 15 years, the Maghera based firm has become highly specialised in community and sports centre projects.
“We work across the full spectrum of sectors – industrial, commercial, private housing, social housing, public works etc,” said Padraig, “but our community and sports centre portfolio is particularly strong”
Commenting on the completed project at Shantallow Community Centre Padraig said, “Despite the unpredictable challenges of Covid-19, this project went very well thanks to the practical understanding and relationship between the client, ourselves and the design team. It was a very successful collaborative project in unprecedented circumstances
“We’ve learnt from previous challenges on these types of projects and have become very efficient at overcoming issues to deliver a successful product on time and within budget for the client and end user.
“We’re delighted to handover this new facility to the Shantallow community and provide them with a modern and welcoming space for people of all ages to enjoy.”
Address: 181 Glen Road, Maghera BT46 5LT
T: +44 (0)28 7964 2101 –
E: mail@pkmckaigue.com
www.pkmckaigue.com
For the full feature on Shantallow Community Centre, please see our online issue:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/694961371/80/
