bellfield’s Big build
The Big Build to transform the Celebration Hall is nearly finished!
Bellfield’s Big Build set out to make the Celebration Hall more attractive, usable, flexible and sustainable in order to make an improved resource for the community and to help resource Action Porty through helping to increase our rental income.
In an incredibly successful funding campaign, we raised a total of £900,000, most from grants and an incredible £189,000 in community shares to unlock government funding. Thank you again for all contributions that have helped realise this vision!
However, as shared in previous newsletters, once building contractors were brought in it quickly became clear that the £900k raised would not fund the entire project as proposed by architects, and the design was revised without the mezzanine and lift.
What work has been completed?
A new floor has been installed throughout the ground floor with underfloor heating. This was made possible by the pews being removed, the floor excavated, and two underground vaults discovered, examined, made structurally safe and preserved by archaeologists. We now have a bright, warm, versatile, beautiful space.
A new toilet block and kitchen have been added to sustain larger events, as well as a meeting room and storage. General building improvements have included new lighting, extensive and unforeseen electrical rewiring, as well as drainage, plumbing and heating upgrades, and removal of additional (unanticipated) asbestos. Further partitions and secondary glazing will be installed once funding permits.
What is next?
The builders have completing the structural work and we hope to proceed with decorating work by volunteers to keep costs down (similar to the renovation Saturdays at Action Station).
Meanwhile, if you can volunteer to help with decorating or have a specific skill you think might be useful for the finishing touches or fundraising, we’d love to hear from you, get in touch with volunteering@actionporty.com.
Meanwhile, we are starting to plan viewing opportunities and a re-opening celebration event for once we have passed Building Control checks and the new space is ready to be unveiled. Members and neighbours will be the first to be invited.
Photo diary of progress
