Bewbush Centre structure complete

Bewbush Centre structure complete

A ceremony to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity and good luck marked the final stages of regeneration in Bewbush last week.

Mark Tant, Willmott Dixon, left; Councillor Lee Burke, Crawley Mayor, Right

The ‘Topping Out’ ceremony at the brand-new Bewbush Centre in Dorsten Square celebrated the structural completion of the impressive five million pound multi-use community facility.

Guests, including Crawley’s Mayor, Councillor Lee Burke, wrote messages on the wall of the building before they are covered for future generations tofind.

Children from Bewbush Community Primary School celebrate after signing the wall

Set to open in November, the centre boasts a function hall, sports hall, gym, café, youth area, voluntary services office and a neighbourhood police base.

Mark Tant, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon Construction Cobham, said:

“We’re delighted with the progress of the project and we’re pleased to celebrate the ‘topping out’ as this marks a significant milestone in the programme.

“The building has taken shape extremely quickly thanks mainly to our ability to incorporate a Eurban timber frame. This method of construction is an exciting new technology and has high sustainable features, fitting perfectly with the sustainable development strategy embedded in our business.”

The new building has excellent green credentials, reaching a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of ‘very good’.

During construction alone, materials from the two former inefficient buildings that stood in its place were crushed and reused wherever possible; a massive 99 percent of all waste created at the site was recycled.

The community hub itself boasts a variety of green features like the Eurban timber frame which is highly sustainable; all the timber used in the project came from certified sustainable sources.

Other environmentally friendly features include a green (sedum) roof which will help with drainage, insulation and also create a secure urban habitat; photovoltaic panels; large skylights to maximise natural light; and various energy efficient ways of heating and cooling the building.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture and the lead member on the Bewbush Regeneration Project, said: “It looks great already and when it opens in just a few months it will bring huge benefits to health and wellbeing, adding to the community spirit which is already so apparent in Bewbush.

“Local people have played such a great part in shaping this regeneration project, and therefore the future of their environment; they should be proud of their fantastic achievements.”

Mark Tant of Willmott Dixon added: “We believe the new centre will look fantastic once it’s finished and it’s sure be a true asset to the local environment and the local community. We’re thrilled to be part of what we think is a very successful project.”

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