IMPROVEMENTS to a 1,600-pupil academy will deliver new sporting opportunities for students and the wider North Tyneside community.
Brims Construction has been praised for its work on the recently-completed £1.5m, two-storey extension and refurbishment to PE facilities at St Thomas More RC Academy in North Shields.
The Academy’s Director of Finance & Support Services Anthony Gollings said growing safety concerns had begun to threaten the future of sport provisions at the popular catholic academy.
However, after securing over £1.4m from the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund and injecting £150,000 from its own reserves its sports facilities are now second to none.
“Without this work we would have faced the prospect of mothballing parts of our school due to potential issues with asbestos, electrical wiring and disabled access.
“This would have led to an increasing reliance upon hiring costly external facilities for students, whilst retaining the running costs of the abandoned facilities.
“However, with this work completed, we now have facilities to be proud of; Ones which will support the sporting and artistic ambitions of the academy and its students.” he said.
Sunderland-based Brims Construction won the contract in a competitive tendering process.
It was tasked with demolishing the sub-standard structure between the main hall and the gym, and rebuilding it as a two-storey facility accommodating a multifunctional dance/fitness space, including retractable seating for up to 60 people.
The work also included new and extended student changing facilities, a new PE staff office and storage space, whilst the existing gym was completely renovated.
Mr Gollings said: “The location and duration of this project meant the work had to be carefully planned and managed. Brims worked closely with us and helped to keep disruptions to a minimum. When we needed them to be quiet they obliged. I was aware of the company’s work having seen completed jobs in the area and we are very pleased with the end result.”
With the building being completed as the exam season got underway Mr Gollings says the school has only just started to make the most of its new facilities but is looking forward to students and the community enjoying these facilities for years to come.
Jason Wood, director at Brims Construction, said: “We are very proud to be involved in the project. During the course of the work we sponsored one of the school’s football teams as well as arranging site visits for pupils and organising a construction careers event. We are keen to attract bright young people into our industry.