Construction Ireland V18N02

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It’s time to build tomorrow’s workplace

Property Developers!!

Respond! Housing Association offers its assistance in the design and provision of much needed housing in Ireland.

Respond! Housing Association, a leading provider of Integrated Housing in Ireland - having built over 5,300 dwellings nationally - offers its inhouse design, planning expertise and development assistance to Property Developers to respond positively to the housing needs of families and communities across the country.

We invite Property Developers to work with us cooperatively in a “housing construction collaboration”, towards the provision of housing of all tenure types.

Contact:

Mr. Liam Fewer, Production Manager, Respond!, Airmount, Waterford Tel: 0818-357901 Email: liam.fewer@respond.ie www.respond.ie Respond! is unique as a Housing Association in Ireland in having had its own inhouse Planning and Design department for most of its 33 years in operation.

St. John’s College, Waterford St. Johns College dates back to the 19th century and was a seminary up until its closure in 1999. It was bought by Respond! from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in 2007. It is a listed building which status Respond! has respected in its plans. The project was designed by and currently being project managed by Respond!’s own in-house Property Services Team.

The whole redevelopment will provide a fitting and resourced location for some 68 older persons and Respond! will work very closely with the City Council to assess all applications from prospective residents as the construction comes to a finish towards the end of 2015. The original planning permission also granted the provision of a medical facility, but unfortunately the Health Service Executive had alternative plans.

The total project costs will come to just €12 million. Some €8 million of this will be made available in state mortgages to Respond! from Waterford City Council through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The remaining €4 million will be provided by Respond! of which some €2.25million will come in a private borrowing initiative from the AIB Bank. This lending initiative by the AIB was the first of its kind for social housing in Ireland.

The College building itself will house 21 self-contained apartments and an 11 unit group home for older persons with a supporting Day Centre and Communal Facilities. Respond! is also constructing 36 new-build one-bed apartments on the site parallel to The Folly road, also for older persons.

Mythen Brothers of Longraigue, Foulksmills, Co. Wexford were the successful tendering contractors and construction on site began in the middle of March, 2014.

NEWS - 6

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COMMENTS 20 22 23 24 25 26

NHBC – Housing through the decades Sheridan Gold LLP – Mediation Thomas Eggar – Manifest Injustice Cheetah Learning – Project Management Storage solutions for new build homes Temporary pool solutions

Managing Editor Gareth Trevor-Jones Editor Victoria Lee Editorial Robert Atherton Designer Richard Gill Proof Reader Matthew Brown Approvals Sarah Smith

PROFILE 36 Ganson Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd 56 Kevin Watson Group

Administration Alecia Rowe Credit Control Carol Ryan

EDUCATION

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40 Bernal Building, University of Limerick 50 Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet 53 Grangegorman Urban Quarter

COMMUNITY 47 Ballinfoile Castlegar Community Centre 57 Holyhill Library 58 St Vincent’s Centre Swimming Pool

HOUSING 46 Glenann Court, Antrim

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CIVIL 48 Doolin Pier, Clare 55 Tempo Wastewater Treatment Works

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LEISURE 29 The National Gallery of Ireland

HEALTH 28 Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing

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Enduring, diverse and collaborative It was Michael Joseph Conroy – father and grandfather to the current directors – who in 1932 formed Michael J Conroy & Sons Ltd. In the eight decades since, this third generation family-owned business has established itself as a leading provider of general construction and fit-out works in the west of Ireland.

Skilled in all aspects of commercial, industrial and pharmaceutical construction, MJ Conroy consistently demonstrates its ability to deliver complex and highly specialised schemes on time and to budget. The Company's many successes can be attributed in part to a dedicated workforce that draws upon a wealth of experience and training in construction management. Indeed, MJ Conroy's Safe-T-Cert and ISO 9001 quality assurance accreditations are indicative of the Contractor's unwavering commitment to best practice and responsible construction methods.

While MJ Conroy's expertise extends to a number of specialist sectors; pharmaceuticals – an industry often exacting in its construction requirements – has proven a particular mainstay. Here, MJ Conroy's attention to detail and experience in pharmaceutical construction techniques has allowed the Company to establish cooperative and lasting partnerships with many of the industry’s key players. Allergan Pharmaceuticals – a world-renowned provider of contact lenses, optic solutions and Botox – and Boston Scientific – a leading supplier of cardiovascular equipment – are two of many such organisations, each international with a significant stake in Ireland. MJ Conroy looks to cultivate similar mutually beneficial relationships with all clients, and

the Contractor's adherence to the core tenants of collaboration, quality of service and professionalism has proven invaluable.

MJ Conroy has also made considerable inroads into Ireland's burgeoning ICT sector. The Company has recently completed a Design and Build contract with Hewlett Packard to construct and fit-out a state-of-the-art 87,000sq ft office block in Ballybrit, Galway. The purpose-built facility – one of the largest construction projects in the Galway region – is representative of Hewlett Packard's continued commitment to developing operations in Ireland. It will accommodate an approximate 700 members of staff with specialist software research and development, cloud technology and business services. Successful delivery of this high specification scheme required collaborative thinking from MJ Conroy with good lines of communication between client and contractor throughout.

As for the future, MJ Conroy will continue to develop its core strengths – to provide excellent customer service tailored to the individual, to remain flexible and attentive to the needs of the client and sensitive to the changeable nature of the construction industry.

For more information please visit www.mjconroy.com or contact: Head Office: Industrial Estate, Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Galway Office: Mayoralty House, Flood Street, Galway, Ireland.

Phone: +353 94 9521600

Email: info@mjconroy.com

CI NEWS

Dublin City Council celebrates landmark planning approval Dublin City Council has announced that permission has been approved for the first planning application under the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).

Planning permission was granted for a development by Targeted Investment Opportunities Plc. at 76 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, for a mixed-use scheme. The development consists of a seven to ten-storey structure comprising 58 apartments and approximately 9,000sq m of office space.

The development also provides for the new ‘’Chocolate Park’’ public open space.

This decision marks the first major planning application to be granted by Dublin City Council as the Development Agency for Dublin Docklands. Three other significant applications for development in Docklands have also been made to

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the City Council including the mixeduse development at Boland’s Mills.

Owen Keegan, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council stated: “This first major grant of permission marks the beginning of a new phase in the regeneration of Dublin Docklands.

The Strategic Development Zone prepared by Dublin City Council and made by the elected members, is now delivering results that will see new development bringing employment, new homes and amenities to the Docklands area of the city though the fast track system enabled by the making of the SDZ. Dublin City Council is also actively working to deliver key new public infrastructure for the area, to support and be delivered alongside this and other planned key investments, and has established a

dedicated office and team of staff working full time on the SDZ project.”

The North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock SDZ was made by the elected members of Dublin City Council in November 2013 and approved by An Bord Pleanala on the 16th May 2014. It will provide for 2,600 residential units and up to 360,000sq m of office space, as well as retail, community and public amenity facilities which will create 23,000 jobs.

Dublin City Council has commenced the planning and design process for the construction of two new bridges in Docklands and for the preparation of the new public realm strategy for the SDZ area, which will inform a rolling programme of investment in streets and public spaces.

Waterford technology company nearForm announces 100 new jobs at official opening 100 new tech jobs have been announced for County Waterford in a major boost for the area as three-year-old Irish technology company nearForm officially opened its new headquarters in Tramore. The announcement was made by nearForm co-founders, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cian MaidÌn and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Richard Rodger.

Speaking at the launch of the new offices, Cian said: “It’s a really proud day for us to announce these high-end jobs for Tramore. We were strongly urged by many parties to relocate to the US. We chose to stay here and build our company in a place where we wanted to raise our families. Our growth to 35 staff over the last three years has vindicated this decision. We look forward to growing in Tramore and hiring local and international expertise to share in our journey.”

Officially opening nearForm’s new headquarters, Terence O’Rourke, Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Ireland, said: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to support entrepreneurship across the regions and develop strong, export focused, ambitious Irish companies that can win new business and jobs for Ireland. nearForm is an exemplar of the type of company we want to work with: they are innovative, ambitious and determined, and their rapid success to date is highly commendable. I congratulate Cian, Richard and their staff and wish them even greater success over the coming years as they grow to the next level”.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “Employment is growing in every region of the country - but some regions are growing faster than

others. At the heart of our jobs plan is accelerating this jobs growth in every region of the country. Our record in the South East since we put in place the South East Plan has been strong, with the fastest rate of jobs growth in the country and 22,700 extra people at work. nearForm is a great example of what we are trying to achieve - here is a fast-growing Irish tech company, recently started in a regional town, developing innovative technology and now adding 100 jobs. This is a huge boost for the South East and for regional towns right across the country.”

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CI NEWS

Kennedy announces start of construction on £35M road scheme in Magherafelt Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of construction of the Magherafelt Bypass at a total cost of £35M. Contractors BAM/McCann have started preliminary work on the joint venture, following the award of contract in February 2015. The new six kilometre carriageway will entail the construction of a single carriageway (with sections of two plus one lane carriageway) through a green field site between the A31 Moneymore Road just south of Magherafelt to the A6 Castledawson roundabout. Construction is programmed across a period of 20 months, with completion expected in late 2016.

Speaking at a sod-cutting event to mark the commencement of construction Minister Kennedy highlighted the importance of the scheme: “This extremely worthwhile scheme has been long awaited by all road users in the Magherafelt area.

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Magherafelt town suffers from significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak periods, with parts of the existing road network within the town centre carrying around 25,000 vehicles per day. This very significant investment will help improve road safety, reduce congestion and improve journey times.

“When open to traffic in late 2016, it is anticipated the new road will carry around 14,000 vehicles per day and thereby reduce traffic volumes in the town centre road network by around 30%.

“I am confident this construction contract will help to secure jobs in the local construction industry and, in turn, contribute towards the continued economic development of Northern Ireland.”

A new roundabout will be created at the A31 Moneymore/Coolshinny Road junction

just south of Magherafelt town and the new road will pass to the east of the town to connect directly with the A6 Castledawson roundabout. New roundabouts will be provided where the new road bisects the Ballyronan and Aughrim roads, and all other side roads will be bridged over. Those sections of new carriageway between the Moneymore Road and the Ballyronan roads and between the Aughrim Road and Castledawson roundabout will be constructed as two plus one carriageways (three lanes) to facilitate overtaking and further improve on journey times.

Upon the opening of the bypass to traffic and when new traffic patterns settle down, TNI will monitor traffic movement within the town to seek to optimise traffic progression and the sharing of town centre space.

Kubota targets major growth in Irish market with South Coast Diesels partnership World class engine manufacturer Kubota is targeting major growth in Ireland after joining forces with Co Kildare-based diesel engine rebuild and servicing specialist South Coast Diesels (SCD).

The deal means SCD is now the exclusive distributor for Kubota engines in the Republic of Ireland. SCD will provide Kubota’s full range of oil and water cooled diesel and dual fuel engines, along with delivering full support services and spare parts to dealers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across a range of industry sectors.

Daniel Grant, Business Development Manager for Kubota’s Engines Division, commented: “There’s no doubt that the Irish economy is on the up after a difficult few years. These green shoots of recovery present a massive opportunity for everyone involved in the diesel powered equipment and machinery markets.

“Our partnership with SCD is part of a major investment programme and strategic move by Kubota to increase market share and drive brand awareness amongst dealers and OEMs operating in the Irish markets.

A lot of OEM’s will be targeting Ireland for growth opportunities so having a strong presence there is critical.

“Working with SCD will give us exactly that. The Company is an engine specialist, with a first class reputation for providing exceptional service levels, backed up by highly skilled engineers and support staff.”

Founded in 1986, SCD leads the way in the independent engine rebuilding industry, engine sales and aftersales support markets in Ireland. The Company represents a number of high profile global brands, working with customers across the marine, military, industrial, power generation and construction sectors.

Liam Mills, Managing Director of SCD, said: “The partnership reflects SCD’s desire to work with industry leaders that provide quality solutions and the latest in technological advancements.

We are excited about entering into this new relationship with Kubota, which will not only open up potential new markets for our business, but will also increase Kubota’s share of the Irish market and grow new engine sales.”

Spaciotempo reveals growth plan after Ireland move A leading temporary building company is set to increase its workforce by almost 50% in the first stage of an ambitious development drive.

Spaciotempo saw impressive growth in both turnover and operating profit during a record year.

The Company recently boosted its operations in Ireland as part of plans to double the size of the business by 2018.

And it’s now creating a string of new jobs elsewhere in the Business to help meet unprecedented demand.

Managing Director Scott Jameson said: “We’ve enjoyed sustained growth for two years and this was by far our busiest and best period to date.

“Now the plan is to capitalise on that progress and go from strength to strength.

“I’ve set an objective of 50% growth in the next three years and I think our target of £15M turnover by 2018 is well within reach.”

The appointment of Belfast-based Phillip Tallon last month was the first time Spaciotempo has appointed a specialist dedicated to its customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The move was part of an initiative designed to boost its rapidly expanding customer base in the area.

The Company is now looking to recruit a further ten staff to join its installation team based in Staffordshire.

Spaciotempo, part of the GL Events Group, has enjoyed stellar success for two years running. Results in 2013 were a then record, but last year was even better with growth at around 15%.

Mr Jameson added: “Sectors such as manufacturing and logistics have become much stronger and we saw a big swing to sales,

rather than rental, in 2014.

“Customers now have more confidence to put items on capital expenditure - and that’s another sign that the economy is heading in the right direction.

“So while we’ll always retain the flexible approach that helped to carry us through the recession, our sales operation has never been stronger.”

Spaciotempo is planning to explore new sectors in a bid to maintain the momentum.

Mr Jameson said: “While we’ve done particularly well in the last two years, it’s important to build on that success.

“We’ll spend a further £2M to increase our hire stock this year, we’re diversifying into different areas and we’ll soon be introducing a product that will be unique to the UK market.

“We’re making significant investments in products, people and our future.”

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ESTIMATING & VALUATION SOFTWARE Part of the Cruden Group, Cruden Building & Renewals is an innovative construction company with operations across the west of Scotland and has built or modernised over 130,000 properties.

Cruden has many years’ experience in delivering high quality housing Robert Dickson, projects for local Chief Estimator at authorities, housing Cruden associations and co-operatives. For many years they have priced every job on the ConQuest Estimating System.

Robert Dickson, Chief Estimator, has been with Cruden for 28 years. Originally a surveyor, he became an estimator after a football injury made him realise that his days of climbing up ladders were over. Robert says he has seen ConQuest grow and develop from the original DOS Based system to the slick modern Q Series, and believes it has maintained its position as the UK’s leading estimating system throughout that period.

Robert was heavily involved in the choice to partner with ConQuest all those years ago and he explained it did need to be a partnership.

Robert has taken some time out of his busy diary to tell us about estimating with ConQuest in the social housing market.

New build Golspie Street, Govan, Glasgow Value £12.8M - Social Housing - Govan Housing Association

“The right people to take us forward were people we could partner with. We wanted something that was going to continue, something that was going to be developed constantly. ConQuest had, and still has, forward vision. At the time they had the largest market share. Many years later we are glad we made the right choice.

“The answers we get from ConQuest are consistent, across my whole team. Estimating is about getting the dependable answers every time and knowing exactly what your base costs are. ConQuest allows us to achieve this much faster. We have adapted the database, the library and the rates. Everything is unique to us.”

Cruden Building & Renewals has grown massively even through the recent challenging times. ConQuest was installed 12 years ago and in the last ten years their turnover has gone from £25M to £85M. Robert explained that they are dramatically more productive than they were before ConQuest.

“My overall view is that we are doing more than three times the turnover we did ten years ago and ConQuest has enabled this. We are doing this larger turnover with the same size department. In fact, there are less people in estimating than there were and we are still doing 3 times more! We are

comparing quotes faster, pasting them directly into comparisons, pumping out rates from our library, the surveyors use it for valuations, the buyers use it and our accounts team also use it. In fact, from the very first day the job comes in, to it being finished one-and-a-half to two years later, ConQuest is involved in the whole process.”

New Build Govan Gateway, Glasgow Value £10.0M - Social Housing - Govan Housing Association

ConQuest is packed with features to make the tendering process a smooth flowing one. However, Robert shares ConQuest’s core belief that “the absolute top priority for estimating software, is that it works reliably and consistently, adds up properly and doesn’t break down. You can have buttons for this and buttons for that but if they don’t work every time, I don’t want them.”

We wanted to ask Robert specifically how a main contractor having ConQuest benefits the client and the subcontractor.

He said: “Winning the job is one thing, then it goes to contracts and it needs changing quickly. This is where using ConQuest is not just a massive benefit to us but to the client also. If the client is over budget, we need to work together to make it work for them. ConQuest is so robust and easy, we can change materials quickly, look at other jobs and take rates and resources from them to help clients achieve their goals, and it can all be done quickly.

ConQuest lends itself very well to the way we need to tender for government funded projects.”

Cruden Building & Renewals Ltd attributes pioneering construction technologies and management systems as being key to its continued growth and success. They have recently moved over to ConQuest’s cloud-based enquiry management system to help them send out subcontractor enquiries faster and to make life much easier for their supply chain.

After three years of development, ConQuest launched ‘On Line Enquires’ which is a fully integrated module. There are now over 50,000 subcontractors using On Line Enquires with over 150 new subcontractors joining every day. It enables you to create trade abstracts and tender enquiry documents at the touch of a button.

Subcontractors and suppliers click one button on the automated email link and are directed instantly to the ConQuest cloud where all the project documents for their trade are already organised. No passwords, no problem with file sizes, no need to send every supplier every document, and extremely fast and easy to use.

Through the live tracking system, ConQuest users can see who has received the enquiry, who is interested, who has declined and which subcontractors have responded with a price. There are options to communicate with your supply chain

through a built-in email system and options to paste subcontractor rates directly back into ConQuest.

Robert and his team at Cruden Building & Renewals used ConQuest’s old CD based enquiries system for many years. Robert admits he was reluctant to change the process as it worked very well. They were finally pushed into making the move to cloud based enquiries when his CD replicator broke during a very busy period!

“We had no choice but to put all our eggs in one basket and go live with On Line Enquires. Everything about it was very positive. I sent an enquiry out and had a response within 5 minutes! The easier we make it for the subcontractors and suppliers, the more likely they are to price the work for us. We like to look after our suppliers and make the information available to them quickly.

New Build Harrhill Street, Elderpark, Glasgow Value £12.3M - Social Housing - Elderpark Housing Association

“The hit rate has increased; we are definitely getting a better response. We have had no negative feedback from the subbies about the system, just a little bit of education and once they understand it, it’s fine. The amendments side of it is really easy, no more waiting for two days for the post. The time saving with On Line Enquiries is very important.

“Looking at the actual enquiry side of estimating, I would say it takes half a day. You could do the material enquires in a couple of hours. It actually takes more time to choose the right trades to do the work than to send the enquiry and that is nothing to do with ConQuest.”

ConQuest’s development team has not slowed down. In fact, the team is growing and the development of ConQuest is faster than ever, with plans to make enquiries easier still for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

01204 669689 sales@conquest.ltd.uk

THE ESTIMATING SOFTWARE PEOPLE

CI NEWS

Major Bangor regeneration scheme gets green light Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has welcomed the news that planning permission has been secured for a major regeneration scheme at Queen’s Parade in Bangor.

A recommendation to give planning approval from the Department of the Environment, was endorsed by North Down Borough Council’s Planning Committee. This approval now gives permission for the development of: ••72 apartments ••Eight terraced dwelling houses ••A flexible theatre/performance space ••New business/office space ••A range of new hotel accommodation ••New restaurants/cafes ••A multi-storey car park comprising 351 spaces ••New accesses at King Street and Southwell Road ••Creation of new open shared space along Marine Gardens ••Relocation of Project 24’s colourful art pods and covered event space The development will see in excess of 25,000sq m of floor space utilised to support the regeneration of the Queen’s Parade area.

Welcoming the news of the planning

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approval, Minister Storey said: “I am delighted to announce that my department has secured full planning permission for a major regeneration proposal that will restore Bangor’s reputation as a key tourist and shopping destination.

“Bangor is considered to be one of the most desirable places to live in Northern Ireland, despite being tarnished by the dereliction around Queen’s Parade. This planning approval is a key step in the process to regenerate and inject new life into the Queen’s Parade area of Bangor.”

The Minister continued: “This proposal will transform Queen’s Parade into an attractive, vibrant, inclusive place for everyone to enjoy. The area of Marine Gardens currently in use as a car park will be transformed into an area of high quality open space, with the creation of a courtyard plaza and high quality open public space. Also included in this area will be new play equipment, landscaping, a bandstand and covered walkways. I have no doubt that this proposal will act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Bangor town centre.

“I would like to thank all those who took part in the extensive engagements, who got involved in the workshops and who commented on the proposals; in particular

representatives from local interest groups, community groups, elected members and the business community.”

Announcing that his Department has recommended planning approval, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: “It is welcome news that North Down Borough Council has endorsed our planning recommendation for this major regeneration scheme at Queen’s Parade in Bangor. It will be a real boost for the people of Bangor and visitors alike transforming dereliction into a vibrant new beginning. Our recommendation is the culmination of extensive community consultation with key stakeholders and the public to ensure the best decision was made.”

Mayor of North Down, Councillor Peter Martin commented: “The Council welcomes this decision as an encouraging and positive step toward delivering a regeneration scheme for Queen’s Parade.

This project is a marvellous example of a collaborate working project involving DSD, Council and the community and I wish to commend all those involved on their achievements to date.

“The development of Queen’s Parade will complement the existing regeneration work in the town and inject new life into Bangor seafront.”

O’Dowd hails new £12.78M facilities for Tor Bank School, Dundonald Education Minister John O’Dowd has attended the official opening of new facilities for Tor Bank School in Dundonald.

The new school caters for around 160 children aged three to 19 who have severe learning difficulties and a range of medical and physical impairments and represents a £12.78M capital investment.

The Minister planted a tree in the school grounds to mark the occasion and enjoyed music and drama performances by pupils from Tor Bank and neighbouring schools Dundonald Primary and Our

Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock.

Speaking after the event, the Minister said: “I am very pleased to be able to see these fantastic new facilities for Tor Bank up and running. Tor Bank has been educating some of or most vulnerable children and young people since the 1960s and these new premises will see it continue to do so, well into the future.

“The school caters for a cross-section of the local community and fosters inclusion, having been awarded UNICEF

Rights Respecting School status.

“The new building is a significant investment by my department in the future of special education in Dundonald and the wider area.”

The Minister concluded: “I wish the Principal Colm Davis, the Governors, all the staff and whole school community the very best as they continue to show their dedication and commitment to the school’s pupils. I am confident the school will flourish in its new surroundings.”

Turner & Townsend appoints new Director in Belfast Turner & Townsend, the global programme management and construction consultancy, has appointed Colm Lavery as Director of project management and cost management services in its Belfast office.

Colm joins the consultancy with over 20 years’ experience of delivering professional services in the commercial, education, healthcare, retail, residential and government sectors. Formerly leading EC Harris LLP in Northern Ireland, he oversaw the delivery of some of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious projects, including Titanic Belfast, the Lyric Theatre and Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, together with a multitude of education projects across the province, leading on successes with Ulster University and Magilligan Prison.

He will grow Turner & Townsend’s Belfast office and bolster the Consultancy’s key offerings in the education, industrial & manufacturing, retail,

residential, justice, waste, commercial property and government sectors.

Colm will be overseeing delivery for key clients such as Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast City Council, Education & Library Boards and NI Water.

Commenting on his appointment, Colm said: “I am very excited to be joining the Turner & Townsend team.

“Leading such a strong group of client-focused professionals who are unstinting in their delivery of exceptional outcomes across all sectors is a challenge I will relish.”

Jon White, UK Managing Director, added: “Colm is a great addition to Turner & Townsend’s Belfast office. His impressive portfolio of past projects and hands-on experience in operations, sales and strategy, will enable him to meet the demands of this challenging role, and ensure the delivery of services to our clients in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

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Callsafe Services Ltd

CALLSAFE SERVICES LIMITED OVER 25 YEARS PROVIDING EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVICE AND TRAINING TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND OTHERS David Carr PgD, FIIRSM, DipSM, RFaPS, Managing Director Callsafe Services Limited. Yardley House, 11 Horsefair, Rugeley, Staffordshire. WS15 2EJ Email: enquiries@callsafe-services.co.uk Web: www.callsafe-services.co.uk

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health MANAGING THE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN PROCESS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2 Day Course Aims of the Course This course is aimed at providing an understanding of the role of the project supervisor for the design process (PSDP) appointed under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.

Short practice sessions are provided to enhance this understanding. The course is highly interactive and is presented by qualified and experienced construction health and safety professionals.

Day 1 Course Content: Accidents in Construction and Maintenance Review of types of accidents common in construction and in structural and plant maintenance.

Overview of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations Background and development of the regulations. Overview of the regulation and the duty holders. Key definitions.

The PSDP and the Client Duties and responsibilities of the Project Supervisor Design Process in the design and planning stage.

Co-ordination of the design function. Relationship with others involved in the project. Avoiding conflict. Managing the flow of information. Who is the client?

Making proper appointments.

Providing information to the project supervisor. Controlling the commencement of construction.

Syndicate Exercise: Provision of Information The Safety File Starting the health and safety file.

Development and compilation.

Input from the project supervisor-design stage, designers and contractors. Client’s requirements of the file. Handover to client. Syndicate Exercise: Content of the Safety File Closed Book Examination Day 2 Course Content: Reducing Risk by Design & Designers Responsibilities Who is the designer? Hazard and risk defined. Recognising and recording hazards upon which design decisions are taken. Principles to be applied in reducing risk.

Hierarchy of measures.

Sources of information.

Syndicate Exercise: The design hazard inventory Provision of Information for the Project Supervisor Construction Stage Main purpose of the information.

Level of information required.

When should information be delivered?

Selection and Appointment of Contractors Verification of competence and resources.

Temporary Works Coordination of temporary works, design of structural anchors and the use of permanent, temporary works designed certificates and codes.

Syndicate Exercise: Preparing the Preliminary safety and health plan Closed Book Examination Maximum number of course delegates: 16

Callsafe Services Limited are a health and safety consultancy, primarily working for the construction and facilities management sectors, providing health and safety support, consultancy and training to client, designer and contractor organisations since 1986.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 42,000 members in 100 countries, IOSH is the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

IOSH set standards, and support, develop and connect their members with resources, guidance, events and training.

IOSH are the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people. IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.

In-house and Public Courses This course is offered as an in-house course, where an organisation can book the tutor for the 2 days and the course is presented within an organisation’s own premises and occasionally presented as a public course for individual delegates to attend.

Further details of this, and other, courses can be found at: www.callsafe-services.co.uk, or by contacting Gemma Esprey at: gemma.esprey@callsafeservices.co.uk or by phone on: 01889 577701

CI NEWS

Ministers Kelly & Coffey announce E1.5Bn social housing targets for local authorities to 2017 Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly TD, along with Minister of State, Paudie Coffey TD, have announced housing targets for each local authority area out to 2017.

Over E1.5Bn will be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by local authorities designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the housing waiting lists in social housing.

The move comes as part of the Government’s E3.8Bn social housing strategy announced last November out to 2020. Each local authority was asked to bring forward housing unit targets and specific building projects out to 2017. As part of the strategy, targets had to be agreed with each local authority in 2015.

In the case of the Dublin local authorities, these will be given housing targets over and above what they proposed to the Department of Environment to ensure strong delivery where the need is greatest. The combined funding total for the Dublin local authorities comes to over E500M to 2017.

Approximately 300 separate building

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proposals by local authorities are currently being assessed by the Department and will be announced in a number of phases. Construction is already underway for social housing in approximately 33 sites throughout the country.

Minister Kelly said: “Housing is the number one priority for the Government.

What we are announcing today is ambitious targets for each local authority right throughout the country for each local authority area. This will have a major impact for those on the housing waiting lists with a national reduction of 25% targeted over the period from these schemes alone. The recovering economy is allowing us to invest in vital public services such as housing and we are doing that,” Minister Coffey said: “Today’s announcement shows the commitment of this government to tackle the issue of housing lists across the country.

The Social Housing Strategy is a key action under the Construction 2020 Strategy and I am pleased to see it being progressed so that priority housing

projects can be delivered in the years 2015-2017. E1.5Bn over the next three years is a huge investment in housing; and Minister Kelly and I now expect Local Authorities to deliver on the plans that they have submitted to our Department over the next three years.”

The various schemes will target the refurbishment of vacant social housing units and local authorities will have the option of both building and acquiring housing. The average cost of building a social housing unit is E185,000 - meaning in some parts of the country it will remain cheaper and quicker to acquire as opposed to build. Local authorities will have some discretion to adapt to local circumstances, but all will be expected to kick-start a building programme.

www.citbni.org.uk www.citbni.org.uk

CI COMMENT

Homes through the decades: the making of modern housing This fascinating new guide from the NHBC Foundation charts the history of the modern home from Victorian times up to the present. It shows how housing has played a pivotal role in our society and has been at the very top of the political agenda for different reasons at different times over the last century.

Homes through the decades examines the political and social drivers that have shaped the modern home and the way we live. It also details the technological progress that has been made – how the construction of new homes has evolved as experience has been gained through some high-profile technical failures. From the gadgets we use to the way our homes are built, the guide contains evocative images and informative charts which illustrate and define key periods in our housing history.

Homes through the decades poses questions about what our homes might look like in the future – will demographic changes, such as decreasing family sizes and an ageing population lead to new designs of homes? How much further will sustainability targets be pushed in housing design, and will higher levels of automation become the norm? The guide notes how people living in modern homes

today have greater protection than their predecessors through the introduction of Building Regulations, comprehensive building standards and warranties.

Commenting on the report, Neil Smith, head of research and innovation at NHBC, said: “Since the beginning of the 20th Century, Britain has experienced seismic changes in society, politics, technology and culture.

“We are now embarking on a further historically-important step for housing as we seek to establish a generation of new homes suitable for the 21st century. Our thinking should be informed by a clear understanding of what has gone before and an enlightened view of how we should address the challenges of today and tomorrow.

“Homes through the decades is an account of the drivers, endeavour and experience that over the last century has shaped the modern home. In its pages, we are reminded of the pivotal events and inspirational people – reformers, planners, architects, designers, technologists and construction teams – who grappled with the pressures and constraints of their time to deliver our unique housing heritage.

“The future, by definition is uncertain.

However, as in the past, British ingenuity will once again be central to our success in overcoming technical challenges and delivering homes that are right for the coming decade.”

To accompany the new report, the NHBC Foundation has also produced a “Top 10 moments in housing history” infographic, charting a number of significant dates that shaped Britain’s homes.

For further information please visit www.nhbcfoundation.org

Neil Smith with Rt. Hon Nick Raynsford (left) who helped launch the report at The Geffrye Museum, which focuses on the history of the English domestic interior, in Hoxton, London.

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21

CI COMMENT

A case of “Manifest Injustice” The decision of Galliford Try Building Ltd v Estura Ltd [2015] EWHC 412 (TCC) has been a cause of some excitement.

Unusually, the court has granted a partial stay of the enforcement of an adjudicator’s decision due to the paying party’s financial difficulties. This was based on the fact that enforcement would have caused “manifest injustice” to the paying party.

Galliford Try Building Ltd (contractor) was engaged by Estura Ltd (employer) under an amended JCT Design and Build 2011 to design and build certain works at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel, Devon. A dispute arose over an interim application for payment number 60 (IA 60), which was described as “Indicative Final Account and Valuation Summary”. The contractor argued that the value of IA 60 was in the region of £4M. The employer disagreed, maintaining that the contractor should only be entitled to a further £147,000 but no pay less notice was served to that effect. The dispute was referred to an adjudicator and the employer ordered to hand over just under £4M. During the enforcement proceedings the employer argued that the consequences of the application of the decision in ISG Construction Ltd v Seevic College [2014] EWHC 4007 (TCC), which states that if the employer fails to serve pay less notice the employer would be deemed to have agreed to the valuation in the interim application and bound to pay it, would cause manifest injustice.

A key element of the employer’s argument was the lack of future opportunity to correct any error in the next interim application. This was because: ••the contract did not provide for negative valuation; ••the amount in the IA60 was extraordinarily high, almost equal to the anticipated final account;

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••the timing of the IA60 mean that in effect it was the last interim application; ••there was no incentive for the contractor to submit its final account as the adjudicator’s award meant that the contractor had recovered virtually everything it had hoped for; without a final account there would be no opportunity for a challenge; ••the employer lacked the funds to pay the amount ordered by the adjudicator and to finance litigation to ensure proper valuation of the final account.

Edward-Stuart J was persuaded by this “manifest injustice” argument stating that “the unusual combination of factors that has arisen in this case may give rise to a risk or irreparable prejudice to the employer if the adjudicator’s decision is enforced in full”.

The Judge also took an opportunity to clarify his previous decision in ISG Construction Ltd v Seevic College and stated that a lack of a payment or pay less notice did not prevent an employer from challenging the value of the works in the next application.

Judgment was enforced to the extent of £1.5M but was stayed above that sum.

The Judge was very careful in deciding what part should be stayed and mindful to ensure that the contractor had the necessary incentive to achieve practical completion and submit its final account.

Although the employer was successful on this occasion, the Judge highlighted that the facts of this case were exceptional. He warned the industry that the approach he adopted will be appropriate only in rare cases.

Kasia Dickson, Legal Assistance, Thomas Eggar.

Kasia Dickson

COMMENT CI

Mediation: Encouragement from the Courts

By Peter Sheridan, Partner, Sheridan Gold LLP Mediation is simply a negotiation assisted by a neutral person (a mediator).

Mediation is generally a cost-effective means of settling disputes amicably, although in lower value cases, mediation can involve significant expenditure.

An agreement to negotiate (sometimes called an agreement to agree) is normally void for uncertainty: see Walford v Miles (1992). However, an agreement to mediate in accordance with the CEDR mediation procedure has been upheld as providing sufficient certainty as to what the parties are obliged to do: see Cable & Wireless v IBM (2002). Recently, an agreement to hold “friendly discussions” has also been upheld as sufficiently certain in Emirates Trading Agency v Prime Mineral Exports (2014), somewhat against the authorities from the higher courts.

It is worth considering having an obligation to mediate in construction contracts as the obligation can be enforceable. Where the parties have agreed to mediate, the court may (in the exercise of its inherent powers) grant a stay of any court proceedings to allow a mediation to take place.

The courts have relatively recently developed other rules for encouraging alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation. These rules relate mainly to the orders on costs that the court will make in the event of the case proceeding to trial. The leading case, Halsey v Milton Keynes General NHS Trust (2004) (Court of Appeal), established: (1) the court should not compel parties to mediate, which would risk contravening article 6 of the Human Rights Convention; (2) the courts may need to encourage the parties to embark on ADR in appropriate cases, and that encouragement may be robust; (3) the court’s power to have regard to the parties’ conduct when deciding whether to depart from the general rule that the unsuccessful party should pay the successful party’s costs includes power to deprive the successful party of some or all of its costs on the grounds of its unreasonable refusal to agree to ADR; and (4) for the purpose of judging a refusal to agree to ADR, the burden is on the unsuccessful party to show that the

successful party’s refusal is unreasonable.

There is no presumption in favour of ADR. A non-exclusive list of factors to be taken into account in relation to (3) was identified: the nature of the dispute, the merits of the case, the extent to which other settlement methods have been attempted, whether the costs of the ADR would be disproportionately high, whether any delay in setting up and attending the ADR would have been prejudicial and whether the ADR had any reasonable prospect of success.

Refusal to mediate was held to be reasonable on the facts in Halsey and in Steel v Joy (2004). However, the Court of Appeal in Dunnett v Railtrack (2002) refused to award costs to the successful party because it had refused mediation at an early stage. There is no justification for refusing mediation if a party unreasonably believes that his case is watertight: Burchell v Bullard (2005).

Similarly, the fact that a party believes that he has a watertight case is of itself no justification for refusing mediation: see Hurst v Leeming (2002). Although rightly considering it had a strong case, a party was nevertheless recently held to have refused mediation unreasonably in Northrop Grumman (2014), as there were other reasons why a mediation was likely to have assisted the parties in resolving their differences. Another very recent example of costs being reduced because of failure to mediate is Laporte v The Commissioner for the Police of the Metropolis (2015).

Recently, the Court of Appeal has made a modest extension to the Halsey rules, deciding that silence in the face of an invitation to participate in ADR is, as a general rule, of itself unreasonable (PGF II SA v OMFS (2014)). This case also illustrates the relationship between CPR Part 36 offers to settle and invitations to participate in ADR. The court has discretion to depart from the usual rules applicable with Part 36 offers, where it is unjust to apply the normal rule. This brings into play considerations relating to ADR/ mediation. In the PGF case, the defendant had made a Part 36 offer which ultimately was accepted and would normally in these circumstances have been entitled to its post-offer costs. However, the defendant

was deprived of these costs, because it had not replied to an invitation to participate in ADR. This principle did not extend so far as the claimant recovering its costs for the relevant period; the court has that power, but it is reserved for the most serious and flagrant failures to engage in ADR. Another recent Part 36-related example is Philip Garritt-Critchley (2014), where the defendant refused to mediate, but later accepted the claimant’s Part 36 offer. The refusal to mediate was held to be unreasonable and the defendant was ordered to pay indemnity costs on that account.

For more information, contact Peter Sheridan Partner at Sheridan Gold LLP T: 01737 735088 E: psheridan@sheridangold.co.uk www.sheridangold.co.uk

Peter Sheridan

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CI COMMENT

How do you land your dream job and keep it? Deliver value fast and consistently.

By Michelle LaBrosse, CCPM, PMP®, PMI-ACP, Chief Cheetah and Founder of Cheetah Learning In an era of widespread layoffs and job insecurity, it may feel as though there’s nothing you can do to make sure you keep your job, besides to just sit back and “hope for the best.” Not only is this a poor solution to improving your job security - it’s exactly the kind of attitude that will weaken it. If you see the future of your organisation as totally out of your control, what does that say about how supervisors and coworkers will perceive your value to the company? In this column, we’ll discuss the proactive steps you can take to be the “first one hired,” if you’re currently looking for a new position, and - more importantly - how to be the “last one fired.” Essential to both of these is your ability to demonstrate how you deliver value to your organization, fast.

First One Hired You’ve put together an impressive resume, you have all the right credentials from the top institutions, and you articulate yourself beautifully during interviews. So, why haven’t you landed that dream job yet? We’re going to cut right to the chase here: the issue is that it’s not all about you. Employers are looking for the same thing in every employee they hire - they want someone who will deliver value to their organization fast and consistently.

Rather than trying to impress prospective employers with your academic accomplishments or empty flattery, work to demonstrate what they really want to know - how you’ll deliver value to their company.

What did you do in your last position that increased the company’s profits? Give a concrete example and clearly spell out the connection between what you personally did to how the company benefitted. If you leave it up to your potential boss to “fill in the blanks” about the value you added, they might give you the benefit of the doubt - but they might not. The more powerfully you can demonstrate how you have created value in the past and can do so in the future, the easier you’ll make it for a prospective employer to decide to hire you.

Last One Fired Now that you’ve landed that dream job, how can you make sure you’ll keep it?

First, by “walking the talk.” Stay vigilant about maintaining consistent “brand building” behaviours and minimising

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your “brand bruising” behaviours. Keep the “big picture” in mind - that is, how what you’re doing creates more value for your organisation. Deliver value fast by completing all your projects.

One way to make sure you do this is to keep your projects small. When you’re responsible for larger-scale, long-term projects - as most construction projects are - break them up into smaller units that allow you deliver value incrementally, rather than all at once at the end of the project. This will allow your employer to benefit from your work even if the bigger project gets cancelled or stalled.

The second way to ensure you’ll be the last one fired is to communicate the value you create for your organisation to the folks that matter. What good is it if you successfully lead a project to completion if your supervisors don’t know the role you played, or what value the project adds to the company? Just as you need to do when interviewing for a position, to secure your position at your organisation, you should make a habit of regularly communicating to the higher-ups what value you have provided. Be clear and concise - leave them with no doubts about the importance of your position or your value as an employee.

These are just a few tips for landing your ideal job and keeping it. Mastering these skills takes time and practice - a great way to do this is by becoming a Cheetah Certified Project Manager (CCPM). CCPMs gain a deep understanding of their own strengths for learning, doing projects, and negotiating - the skills needed to be an employee who delivers value fast based on their unique personality type. By developing skills in these areas, you set yourself up to land the position that is right for you, perform at your highest abilities in that position, and secure a stable career.

About the Author: Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, is an entrepreneurial powerhouse with a penchant for making success easy, fun, and fast. She is the founder of Cheetah Learning, the author of the Cheetah Success Series, and a prolific blogger whose mission is to bring Project Management to the masses.

Cheetah Learning is a virtual company with 100 employees, contractors, and

licensees worldwide. To date, more than 50,000 people have become “Cheetahs” using Cheetah Learning’s innovative Project Management and accelerated learning techniques.

Michelle also developed the Cheetah Certified Project Manager (CCPM) program based on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality profiling to help students master how to use their unique strengths for learning, doing projects, and negotiating. CCPM graduates are able to choose the right projects and complete those projects “cheetah fast” based on their personality. They also learn how to leverage others’ strengths which significantly improves overall project team performance. When an employer has a cadre of CCPMs on staff, they achieve whatever they set out to achieve in record time. This is why over 90% of Cheetah’s clients experience an increase in both profitability and revenue within the first year of retaining Cheetah Learning for their Project Management training needs.

Honoured by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), Cheetah Learning was named Professional Development Provider of the Year at the 2008 PMI® Global Congress. A dynamic keynote speaker and industry thought leader, Michelle is recognized by PMI as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the world.

Michelle LaBrosse

COMMENT CI

Storage solutions for new build schemes Bespoke furniture specialist Kingston Cabinets combines superb craftsmanship, cutting edge design and excellent customer service to create the perfect finishing touch to support the building trade.

Servicing both the trade and public, Kingston Cabinets Director Daniel Kingston provides an overview of effective ways to maximise the available space for residential builds as well as emerging trends and designs.

With high land prices and increasing build costs, the generation of the highest yield per square foot is an ever present consideration. We are always on the lookout for innovative new ways to utilise the available space within individual units.

The show home is ever important to ensure high presales with the optimisation of the given area so potential customers don’t have concerns about being short on space.

With clever storage solutions and effective use of cabinetry we can optimise the unit square footage allaying any purchaser fears over storage as well as providing a luxurious finish.

The consumer demand for cabinetry to facilitate technology within the living space is significant at the moment.

With little or no space for a TV cabinet in the room we have worked with a number of builders to incorporate pop up TVs within a storage unit.

For a luxurious finish in a master bedroom, use wall to wall storage, incorporating a pull out TV unit will provide a final wow factor.

Consider using corners to your advantage for small single rooms overcoming objections and repositioning in the consumer’s eye the room’s usage from a nursery to a single room by clever use of fitted furniture.

Bespoke, made to measure cabinets can be created to develop any living

area and provide space saving solutions which may not be otherwise available.

By adding a bookcase or open cabinet on top of a radiator cover, it provides yet more storage space particularly when drawers are included.

A bookcase built on top of the radiator cabinet could be the finishing touch to a room which emphasises the available storage space.

The void under the stairs can also be used to a builder’s advantage. It often goes unnoticed but it is a great opportunity to demonstrate to the buyer an effective storage solution fulfilling the need for extra functional space.

If space allows, consider building a walk in closet. Whilst a smaller void allows for sturdy shelving or bespoke cabinets that can be cut to the size and shape needed to slot comfortably into the room, with extras such as shoe racks.

Take a step back, look at the room and visualise the best way to utilise that space, then get creative.

For more information on Kingston Cabinets call 01260 276 273 / 0207 989 6009 or visit www. kingstoncabinets.com

Daniel Kingston, Director Kingston Cabinets Radiator cabinets

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CI COMMENT

Total Swimming

Providing temporary pool solutions for local authorities to get the nation active Recent figures revealed by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) have revealed that nine million adults across England are unable to swim, equating to approximately one in five adults. Despite these facts, swimming continues to top the rankings in terms of overall sporting participation, with around 2.6M adults currently taking part in 30 minutes of moderate intensity swimming each week according to Sport England’s Active Peoples Survey.

The importance of accessible swimming facilities for communities across the UK is fundamental and sadly the future outlook for these facilities is bleak.

According to the 2014 State of the UK Swimming Industry Report, 40% of the nation’s local authority swimming pools have faced permanent and temporary closures over the last 12 months.

Furthermore, with 43% of the UK’s pools constructed pre-1980, the demand for these renovations and remedial work looks likely to grow over the coming years.

Swimming pools are particularly expensive to run, with high running costs and frequent demands for maintenance work.

The shutting of these pools can result in a considerable loss of income for leisure centres and trusts, particularly during renovation projects where revenue streams can be severely dented through cancelled swimming lessons and clubs relocating to other facilities. Most importantly, for some local people it may be the loss of

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their main form of physical activity.

Total Swimming, a company founded by former Olympic swimmers Steve Parry and Adrian Turner, wants to get more of the nation active through swimming as well as equip more children and adults with a key life skill. Their unique offering has incorporated the erection of temporary swimming pool facilities at various sites across the country as part of their ‘Make a Splash’ campaign.

This has included the installation of a pool in Wanstead, East London, which provided 1,200 children and 1,000 adults with access to free swimming lessons.

Thanks to advances in technology and the construction process, this solution has proved to be an effective and affordable alternative for councils, local authorities and leisure trusts. This has been particularly effective for councils looking to maintain quality leisure facilities for their local communities during the closure of existing wet-side facilities.

Maintaining revenue streams Bridlington Leisure World The first local council partnership established by Total Swimming was with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Sport England, which resulted in the installation of the Bridlington Olympic Legacy Pool in January 2014. This is the UK’s first temporary 25m pool which

sits on the grounds of the existing site, Bridlington Leisure World, whose wetside services are currently closed whilst a two year-long restoration of existing facilities takes place. The purpose of this installation was to maximise customer retention and service provision for members of the local community.

The temporary pool was installed over an 18-week period which included the construction of a solid concrete foundation, exterior housing unit, decked flooring and changing facilities. The pool has been extremely popular within the local community and has seen over 20,000 visitors during its first year of operation.

Consequently, the council reviewed their projected annual income for the facility and has increased it by £20,000.

Stephen Parnaby OBE, Leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council comments: “Securing temporary swimming provision so that no service is lost whilst a new multipurpose facility is constructed was important to the council and we are delighted that it has been so well received by the people of Bridlington.”

Providing alternative accessible facilities - DG One, Dumfries and Galloway Following the success of the Bridlington Olympic Legacy Pool, Total Swimming established a new partnership with

Dumfries and Galloway Council to provide a new temporary pool at the site of the Dumfries Ice Bowl, near to the site of DG One Leisure Centre which has closed temporarily for essential remedial work.

Having opened in October 2014, the facility will be in place for a two year period to provide access to swimming facilities whilst south-west Scotland’s largest sport, leisure and entertainment venue undergoes remedial work.

The new pool is able to accommodate 60 swimmers at a time and unlike Bridlington is a standalone facility.

Housed in the car park of the Dumfries Ice Bowl, the construction also included a number of ancillary amenities including changing rooms, toilets and fully functioning reception area.

The facility is fully DDA compliant and includes non-slip flooring, lighting, heating and ventilation systems, high-profile windows and secure, lockable doors. To improve the profile of the building the structure has been fitted with vermin flashing.

Industry specialists Spaciotempo erected the pool’s steel framed building which contains PVC coated walls. Coupled with their thermo-envelope translucent roofing system, the temporary structure boasts an efficient, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective heating system.

In the first six months since opening, the pool has been used by 20,598 swimmers

from across the local area with 5,281 children from 32 primary schools attending the site for swimming lessons. From this, the council have been able to ensure continued revenue generation can be achieved during the closure of DG One. Chairman of Community and Customer Services Committee for Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Tom McAughtrie explains: “The installation of the temporary swimming facility solution in Dumfries has meant that Dumfries and Galloway Council has been able to deliver on its commitment to ensure that there is no gap in provision during the shutdown period of our DG One Leisure Complex. Our Council was keen to ensure that a vital service for its residents and visitors alike remains. The pool has been a great success for us so far, with our swimming clubs and visitors. The set-up and structure of the pool is first class.”

The first demountable swimming facility - Radcliffe, Greater Manchester Continuing to develop their offering to clients, the construction of Total Swimming’s most sophisticated temporary swimming pool is under way after partnering with Bury Council. The new facility, due to open in June 2015, will be a UK first - the first demountable, above ground 25m swimming pool which can be

easily relocated to another site if required.

The construction of the new pool follows the closure of Radcliffe Swimming Baths in 2014 due to structural damage. The new facility will be located at Radcliffe Riverside School next to an existing community sports centre, utilising a large car park and local public transport links for easy access. The new pool will be in place for at least three years.

The structure of the facility will feature a steel tank pool, secured using a concrete foundation and will be housed in an exterior housing unit. The design of the steel-framed building incorporates a fully functioning drainage system and air handling system which will provide heating, dehumidification and ventilation when required.

A range of amenities are included in the construction of the new facility, which will be used in conjunction with the existing leisure centre. These include male and female changing villages with shower, toilets and lockers as well as a spectator viewing area.

For more information about Total Swimming and their latest installations please visit www.totalswimming.co.uk

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CI HEALTH

The Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing In 2006 there were 462,000 older people living on the island of Ireland. By 2036 it is projected that there will be more older persons than younger persons living in Ireland and in 30 years time, it is project that there will be twice as many older persons.

The Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing has been created to facilitate unique opportunities for interdisciplinary synergies. It is also intended that the clinical progress, education programmes, creative endeavours and innovative research raises the profile and morale of older people themselves, their families and carers and the health care professionals that are working with them throughout Ireland.

In 2010, funding was granted for the delivery of a new state-of-the-art building which will house the four pillars of the

The IBTS, St. James’s Hospital

Institute; Clinical, Education and Training, Research and Creative Life. The building is located in St James’s Hospital, a hospital with the widest range of services for older people provided by any hospital in Ireland.

The new seven-storey state-of-the-art building is due to be completed in early 2016 when MISA hope to begin treating patients at the new high tech facility.

Construction is being undertaken by the BAM Building Ltd, with designs provided by long-established Architect Moloney O’Beirne.

Covering some 15,018sq m, the building will provide clinical facilities and clinical support facilities at ground and first floors; 116 bed ward accommodation on second to seventh floors, and research facilities and offices for the

Blackrock Clinic ICU

Mercer Institute and administrative office and support accommodation.

Roof terraces are incorporated to the building at second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors, while the provision of a landscaped plaza at the entrance, enhances the building’s position.

A Creative Life Centre will for, an integral part of the new building intended to house the Institute. The Creative Centre will accommodate a library, computer room, workshops, and studio space. A unique exhibition space will also be designed. The Centre will be sympathetically designed to provide stimulating and vibrant environs while also offering opportunity for tranquillity and reflection ensuring mental health and physical well-being of all who use it.

The Mater Hospital

St. Vincent’s Private Hospital

The Bruce Shaw Healthcare Division is proud to be associated with the delivery of the Mercer Institute of Successful Ageing at St. James’s Hospital.

Bruce Shaw is an international construction consultancy firm with over 40 years’ experience providing project and cost management and general consultancy services to the global construction industry.

Our experience spans a wide variety of sectors including: Healthcare, Life Sciences, Data Centres, Commercial, Education and Local/Central Government

www.bruceshaw.com

LEISURE CI

National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

Extensive refurbishment project brings Old Masters’ new life An extensive two phase refurbishment of the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin has begun to take shape. Intended to improve the environmental performance and fabric of the Institute’s Dargan and Milltown Wings, the approximate e30M refurbishment will effectively future-proof these historic and culturally significant structures for generations to come.

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1854, the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) houses the nation’s foremost collection of European and Irish fine art. Spanning the early Renaissance to the 1950s,

the collection – which comprises over 14,500 works of art – features celebrated masterpieces from such artists as Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Gris in addition to the most comprehensive collection of Irish fine art dating from the 17th century.

The Institute is also home to the National Portrait Collection, first established in 1874. The collection has since grown with additional paintings, drawings, watercolours and sculpture depicting eminent Irish individuals who have contributed to the civic, social, and cultural life of the nation. Today the Gallery is Ireland’s

premier cultural attraction with an annual visitor attendance of up to 700,000.

Over the past 150 years the NGI has increased dramatically in size to accommodate the Gallery’s growing collection and the supporting infrastructure associated. Since opening to the public in 1864, such celebrated architects as Frederick Clarendon, Francis Fowke and Thomas Newhenham Deane have contributed to the architectural development of the Institution. Numerous architectural interventions have been Read more on page 30

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made including the construction of the Milltown Wing in 1903, the Beit Wing in 1968, and the Millennium Wing in 2002, and the current refurbishment is but the latest in a series of exciting chapters in the development of this civic and cultural landmark.

In March 2011, the Gallery embarked on the major refurbishment of its historic wings on Merrion Square, namely the Dargan and Milltown wings which date back to 1864 and 1903 respectively. The project is being managed by the Office of Public Works’ Project Management Services, with the award-winning Heneghan Peng acting as the project architect and the distinguished John Paul Construction as the main contractor.

Phase I of the refurbishment, which involved the repair of the glass roof of the Dargan Wing, completed in May 2012.

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The contract, undertaken by PJ Hegarty & Sons, included the removal of the existing roof lights. These were replaced with high performance double glazed units with an integrated static light control grill to accommodate varying light levels. A historic 370sq m glazed ceiling was also renovated, with the glass replaced and the 19th century ironwork completely restored.

In January 2014 the NGI commenced Phase II of its Master Development Programme. The second phase consists of the repair of the roof and glazing of the Milltown wing, conservation and preservation works to the interior fabric of the two wings, the installation of 21st century climate control systems and the upgrading of all heating, fire suppression, electrical, lighting and security systems.

The refurbishment will also see the reopening of the original Victorian

features and spaces within the building.

Previously unseen by the public, the reconfiguration will increase the amount of available exhibition space and help to optimise the presentation of the Gallery’s own collections.

Additional atrium space will be provided as part of the refurbishment, with a view to creating a striking sculpture court. The original windows of the Shaw Room in the Dargan Wing and the ground floor Milltown Wing galleries will be reopened to provide visitors with a view into this new feature atrium.

The introduction of modern plant remains a key consideration however, with the Institute looking to improve on the Gallery’s lacklustre energy performance.

With this in mind a state-of-the-art energy centre is to be situated on the Read more on page 32

info@murphysurveys.ie

www.murphysurveys.ie

Gallery forecourt, while the enhanced fire and security control systems will ensure a safe and secure structure.

Of the refurbishment Minister Jimmy Deenihan said: “This is the single largest transformation at the National Gallery of Ireland in 150 years. I am delighted to announce this extensive refurbishment, which will deliver both a world-leading national gallery and also generate 300 full time construction and specialist skills jobs. This project marks a rebirth for the historic Dargan and Milltown Wings – and will safeguard these historic buildings, and the priceless works of art that they hold, for future generations.”

Dr Olive Braiden, former Chair of the Board of the National Gallery of Ireland added: “Arts and cultural heritage are our greatest assets and an important natural resource of the Irish people. It is fitting that the fabric of these historic buildings be upgraded to world class gallery standards.”

The project marks the largest refurbishment of the NGI since it opened in 1864. A raft of skilled and specialist tradespeople, experienced in the restoration of historic structures, have been required to facilitate the improvement

works. Tinnelly Demolition is one such company. A division of the renowned Newry-based John Tinnelly & Sons Ltd – Tinnelly Demolition has undertaken a number of high-specification works to both the Dargan and Milltown Wings, and brought its many decades of expertise in demolition and dismantling to bear.

A comprehensive soft strip, carried out to best conservation practice, has taken place with Tinnelly Demolition removing the fabric and linings within the Gallery to allow for the installation of contemporary services and to remedy any structural inconsistencies where necessary.

The painstaking removal and demounting of the Gallery’s iconic glass roof structure has proven more challenging however, necessitating care and finesse from the Contractor. While the modern Georgian wire glass was discarded, the entire roof structure – including the cast and wrought iron elements and the vertical clerestory windows – has been retained. Tinnelly Demolition has also catalogued each and every element of the roof structure, through careful labelling and photography during the dismantling process.

The contract has also involved the demolition of two existing lift shaft

structures situated at either end of the Gallery’s central courtyard and the installation of a host of temporary propping works. Major structural openings have been created to facilitate the renovation and a programme of enabling works has taken place. To this end, Tinnelly Demolition has worked collaboratively with the client and principle contractor alike to ensure a smooth construction programme deliver on time and to budget.

That the NGI has remained operational throughout the refurbishment works is indicative of the institutes commitment to keeping its finest works on display.

Visitors have access to the collection and the Gallery’s research services, while The Gallery Shop, Restaurant and Cafe continues to trade as normal.

For some of the institutes educational programmes and events, off-site accommodation has been provided with disruption kept to an absolute minimum.

In February 2015 the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD – together with the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Simon Harris TD – visited the Gallery to survey on-site progress of the multi-

Established in 1995, we have grown steadily and are currently made up of four separate companies: Steelworks, Construction, Demolition and Crane Hire.

We provide a comprehensive range of services such as construction, fit-out, restoration, and property development. The company has a proven track record across a range of construction and property sectors including the commercial, industrial, and residential fields and in industries ranging from retail, hospitality, leisure and healthcare.

Tusker Construction Group carried out the underpinning work on the National Gallery of Ireland and wish all involved in the project continued success for the future.

Tusker Construction Group Broomfield, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan

Tel: 042 9745071 Fax: 042 9745182 Email: construction@tusker.ie

www.tusker.ie

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John Tinnelly & Sons Limited ESTABLISHED 1959

We were established in 1959 by John Tinnelly Snr. The company is still wholly owned and managed by the Tinnelly family under the guidance of Patrick Tinnelly Snr. With four generations of experience, the company are specialists in demolition and dismantling, asbestos removal, facade retention, metal recycling and architectural salvage.

Tinnelly’s extensive experience includes: Major site clearance Safe removal of asbestos and other dangerous substances Dealing with emergency fire and bomb damage and even ship demolition Façade retention of preserved and listed buildings Currently based in Newry, the company carries out contracts throughout Ireland and the UK, with a client list of Blue Chip companies including: Guinness/ Diageo Irish Cement PLC John Sisk and Sons

Work being carried out on the National Gallery of Ireland

John Tinnelly & Sons Ltd Cloughoge House, 46 Forkhill Road, Newry, County Down BT35 8LZ

Tel: +44 (0) 28 3026 5331 Fax: +44 (0) 28 3026 8491 Email: info@tinnelly.com www.tinnelly.com

The BRFS team and their supply partners proudly working alongside the JOHN PAUL CONSTRUCTION team providing the external envelope solution ensuring an artistic and secure weathering installation of the National Gallery Art Collection All enquiries to estimating@brfs.ie 33

million euro refurbishment project.

Speaking after the visit Minister Humphreys said: “I am delighted to see such considerable progress being made at the National Gallery. This refurbishment project represents a major investment by the Government, via my own Department, together with the Office of Public Works and the National Gallery of Ireland, with total costs of more than e30M. “The project will provide Dublin with a world class exhibition space, by returning the Milltown and Dargan Wings to their former glory.

It will open up new areas to the public, including an atrium space, allowing for greater navigation about the building, and will include the installation of state-of-the-art climate control systems. I was very pleased to get an update that the project is being delivered on time, and is on track for 2016.”

Minister Harris added: “This project is an example of what joined up government can achieve. My Office, together with Minister Humphreys’ Department and the National Gallery of Ireland, has ensured that one of the most significant national cultural institutions of the State will be a greater attraction for travelling international exhibits and provide an

34

enhanced environment for the display and enjoyment of the Gallery’s collection.”

The refurbishment programme is expected to continue until 2016 when the NGI will re-open the buildings to the public with a renewed presentation of the permanent collection. When completed, the National

Gallery of Ireland will be equipped as a world-leading gallery space, meeting the international standards for the presentation of both its own collections and visiting artworks from other important collections.

Conservation|Lettefrack, specialists for wooden object conservation in historic buildings. Appointed to work on the care and conservation of the Carlo Cambi door frames, which are the extraordinary architectural features of the Milltown wing of the National Gallery of Ireland. www.conservationletterfrack.ie

www.winthrop.ie

Expert Structural Steel Solutions Across Ireland and the UK Leonard Engineering (Monaghan) Limited is a leading manufacturer of structural steel in Ireland and the UK with a state of the art fabrication facility in Monaghan town. We have been operating for over 38 years and have grown from a small company to what is currently a large and well known structural steel company throughout Ireland and the UK. All structural steel fabricated by Leonard Engineering (Monaghan) Ltd is fully CE marked to BSEN1090. The Company is also CE certified up to Execution Class 4.

Old Tannery, Coolshannagh, Monaghan

Phone: 00353 47-81092 Fax: 00353 47-84313 Email: info@leonardsteel.ie Website: www.leonardsteel.ie 35

CI PROFILE

Ganson Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd A dedicated approach to all projects Ganson Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd was established in 2003 by David Rogers and Paul McQuaid, and the Company has enjoyed steady growth since then.

In the twelve years of business, Ganson has gained extensive experience in every facet of the construction industry and earned a reputation for achieving excellent standards of workmanship and innovation with a high quality management approach to all projects.

Based in Balbriggan, Dublin, the Company’s client base extends to all parts of the country and includes projects in all aspects of the public and private sector.

The Company’s core philosophy is to establish and maintain strong relationships with clients, architects, engineers, suppliers and subcontractors. Forging partnerships and good relations within the industry has allowed Ganson to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the challenging construction industry.

The long list of clients who have benefited from Ganson’s experience includes Dublin City Council, the Department of Education, various VEC bodies, the Office of Public Works, Drogheda Borough Council, Health Service Executive, Louth County

36

Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Monaghan County Council, Carlow County Council, along with many more.

Work has included a large number of high quality commercial & industrial, residential and domestic buildings.

Success is founded on providing a high quality service on every project from multi-million euro commercial and retail developments to the single, private and domestic house. Experienced project managers and foreman combined with traditional crafts and skills within the workforce have been integral to success.

Ganson has a wide range of projects that have been successfully undertaken in those twelve successful years.

Construction of the e15M Carrickphierish Community Campus is currently underway with Ganson at the helm. A joint venture between the Department of Education and Science and Waterford City Council, the development forms a response to the need to provide integrated social infrastructure in areas of expansion and development in towns and cities in Ireland.

The 6,000sq m scheme includes two sixteen classroom national primary schools – Gaelscoil na nDeise and Waterford Educate Together – each with

a dedicated special needs unit, alongside a public library and a multi-purpose hall with additional community facilities.

Coady Partnership Architects’ design for the campus directly addresses the Masterplan’s requirement for buildings of urban character by providing a threestorey street frontage. The 450sq m library, which forms the cornerstone of the campus, is clad in stone and zinc with substantial areas of curtain walling.

Once complete, the library will serve as a state-of-the-art digital hub for the Waterford community, while the multi-purpose hall will be subdivided to provide an independent hall for each school. This will be available for community use outside of school hours.

The Carrickphierish Community Campus is demonstrative of Ganson’s ability to deliver high value, large-scale developments.

The Company began the 18 month build in February 2014 and the scheme remains on time and to budget to date, with construction continuing apace.

Of the Carrickphierish Community Campus, Mayor of Waterford Cllr John Cummins said: “The construction of this exciting, forward looking campus Read more on page 38

DARREN DUNNE PAVING & GROUNDWORKS C2 Reg. & Fully Insured We are pleased to be associated with Ganson Building & Civil Engineering Ltd and wish them continued success for the future

168 St Bridget’s Place, Portlaoise, Co Laoise

T: 087-7809258 Email: ddunn1@live.com

Specialists in bespoke stairs & general joinery G & J Ard Joinery are a Guaranteed Irish award winning family owned business, and have been in operation for over 25 years in Ardbracken, Navan Co. Meath.

We specialise in the manufacture of bespoke staircases, windows, doors, internal and external skirting, architrave, shop fronts, entrance gates, side gates and front door entrance for both the commercial and private market.

All our products are manufactured at our factory in Ardbracken, allowing our clients complete control over lead times and last minute variations. Our most popular products include traditional sliding sash windows and cut string staircases.

Ardbraccan, Navan, Co. Meath.

Tel: 046-9022612 Fax: 046-9023658 Email: info@ardjoinery.com website: www.ardjoinery.com

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for the whole community is another example of a huge vote of confidence in the future for Waterford. As a teacher, I believe that education, lifelong learning and an active lifestyle are essential for people of all ages and this wonderful development brings all these elements together under the one roof.”

City Manager Michael Walsh added: “With this project, Waterford is leading the way in terms of providing a range of services from a single campus. By building the schools, library, community facilities and a sports hall on a single campus, Waterford City Council and both Departments are investing significant funds in delivering services in a new and innovative way, that will provide value for money and efficiencies in use of resources. This represents the kind of joined up thinking that is required in terms of the development of sustainable communities.”

A sign of Ganson’s broad range of experience is the many sectors in which the Company has successfully worked. This includes commercial and industrial projects such as the

development for the Kerry Group.

Completed at a cost of £300,000, the Kerry Group’s Centre of Excellence project involved the demolition and refurbishment of the existing main entrance, offices and laboratories.

New build works included an extension to the main reception area and construction of a new cold store facility.

New floor, wall and ceiling finishes were incorporated throughout the refurbished areas and external works included ramps, handrails, new drainage, macadam and external lighting.

Ganson’s work within the leisure sector is also wide-ranging and included a project at Darver GAA Grounds in Co Louth.

This project involved the construction of a new centre of excellence at Darver, which comprised the development of five floodlit grass playing pitches, one floodlit surface pitch and clubroom building incorporating 18,000sq ft of changing rooms, conference facilities and administration offices on a 35-acre site.

Work on the development was undertaken on behalf of Louth GAA and was completed at a cost of e2.1M.

The Company has also worked on a number of residential projects including Balbriggan Parochial House. Ganson converted an existing protected house into two modern apartments, undertook repair work and complete refurbishment of the building finishes, while also maintaining all the original historic building features.

Other residential projects include Greenwich Court in Co Dublin.

Located in Rathmines, this project involved refurbishment and an extension to a protected structure.

It provided ten new offices and the construction of three ultra modern, high specification apartments. The exterior of the existing building was also re-pointed and new walls finished with sto-rend plaster and aluminium glazing with external veranda areas to the rear of each apartment. The interior of the building included full gym facilities, a swimming pool and sauna.

With such a dedicated, professional and experienced management team providing a proactive approach on all projects, Ganson’s success will continue long into the future.

Shanlis Pine Company Ltd We are pleased to be associated with Ganson Building & Civil Engineering Ltd and wish all involved continued success We are pleased to be associated with Ganson Construction and wish them continued success Shanlis, Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland

Tel: (041) 6853410 Mobile: 087 9839695

Email: shanlispine@eircom.net 38

KEVIN DUFFY FABRICATIONS STAINLESS STEEL PIPE WORK & FABRICATION USING CODED WELDERS

CARRICKALDRA, LATTON P.O., CASTLEBLAYNEY, CO. MONAGHAN MOBILE: (086) 275 7888 EMAIL: KDUFFY2008@GMAIL.COM

McMullan O’Donnell Specialists in: Architectural Aluminium, Curtain Walling & Roof Glazing

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CI EDUCATION

The Bernal Project at the University of Limerick “UL has carefully analysed Ireland’s innovation needs and strategically selected areas with high growth potential that can make major contributions to Ireland’s economic recovery and future development.

Building on UL’s existing foundations of research excellence in these areas, we have devised The Bernal Project to attract world-class professors, provide advanced infrastructure and resources and undertake pioneering research that can rebuild Ireland’s economy.”

Professor Don Barry, President of University of Limerick

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The University of Limerick (UL) was established in 1972 and is an independent, internationally focused university with over 13,000 students and 1,400 staff.

With a proud record of innovation in education and excellence in research and scholarship, the University is a young, energetic and enterprising establishment.

The University has become known as innovative, pioneering and in touch with the real world and prides itself on its reputation for delivering research which makes significant contributions to industry, society and the wider community. The strategy behind the research is very much geared towards work that will provide real advancement to the world.

UL has been named ‘University of the Year 2015’ in the Sunday Times Good University Guide and this is recognition of the University’s leading position in graduate employability, strong research commercialisation, rising academic performance and also the creation of the Bernal Project.

The Bernal Project, a e52M science and engineering initiative, involves the recruitment of ten world-leading professors, a start-up seed fund to support their teaching and research activity and the construction of a new advanced research building on campus.

The construction of the Bernal Research Building commenced in the summer of 2013 to develop a 7,459sq m facility that will be home to fully equipped laboratories to allow teaching and research by the ten professors and their staff.

In addition to significant laboratory space, the building will also provide offices and teaching facilities including seminar rooms and a 200-seat lecture hall.

The project will see the University enhance its research in the Applied Science and Engineering sphere and has made the strategic decision to concentrate its enhancement efforts in areas which will generate a reputation of research excellence for UL; address technical problems that are of importance to Ireland and generate excellent interactions with industry.

The project is named after John Desmond Bernal who was one of Ireland’s most influential scientists of the 20th century. Professor Bernal was famous for his reputation of being a selfless supporter and mentor to young scientists, earning him the affectionate nickname of ‘Sage’ from his peers.

Professor Bernal was driven by a belief that science and technology would improve

the living standards of people if properly focused and was a frequent campaigner for peace and demilitarisation in the years after the Second World War. Bernal died in 1971 and is remembered as the founding father of molecular biology.

The Bernal Project is focused on the development of Pharmaceutical Science and Engineering; Modern Materials, Biomedical Materials and Engineering; and Energy and Sustainable Environment.

These areas are selected in part on the current strengths of the University and in many cases are reorientations of existing skills into new areas.

The e52M project is funded on a partnership basis between the State, the University and philanthropic support. The University of Limerick Foundation, which is the philanthropic body that supports the University, has been instrumental in UL securing private support. In addition to contributions from University and State sources, The Atlantic Philanthropies has been the project’s main sponsor to date, with a commitment of e26.3M. Atlantic embraced the Bernal Project and recognised that their support would have a hugely positive impact in advancing a key strategic sector of the University, with which it has a long-standing relationship.

Ten new professorships will be created in the three selected areas at the University.

As Bernal professors, the senior academic appointees will have the ability to motivate, attract, mentor and work with a larger group of emerging academic staff and researchers. Typically, each Research Leader will work with three developing academic staff (mostly at lecturer level, some of whom are already at UL), and ten to 15 researchers at postgraduate and post-doctorate levels, leading to a new research cohort of 140 – 180 people.

When devising the Bernal Project, the University of Limerick considered the current research strengths of the institution and the economic needs of Ireland itself. The selected research areas have already received support funding from the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the EU. The University of Limerick has numerous research initiatives that are linked to the Bernal Project: Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC): This is a e40M SFI funded National Pharmaceutical Research Centre hosted at UL. The SFI funding in the SSPC supports key growth areas and includes

investment of e10M from 17 key industry partners in the pharmaceutical sphere.

Research Professors Programme: This initiative is focused on crystal engineering and has application for pharmaceutical materials and novel materials for energy.

This e6M award boasts the lure of Bernal Professor Mike Zaworotko, who is in the top 20 in the world in chemistry and leading expert in crystal engineering.

PRTLI: The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (Cycle 1) was launched in 1998 and provides integrated financial support for institutional strategies, programmes and infrastructure and ensures that institutions have the capacity and incentives to formulate and implement research strategies.

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC): This is a e5M Enterprise Ireland funded Technology Centre linked to the Bernal Project. Based at the University, it is focused on industry led projects in the area of advanced manufacturing and process monitoring.

The Materials and Surface Science Institute (MSSI): This internationally renowned centre of excellence generates state-of-the-art fundamental research on issues of industrial significance in the fields of surface science and materials.

Irish Composites Competence Centre: This initiative aims to transform Irish participation in the composites industry by targeting the critical requirements of the aerospace, automotive, renewable generation and construction sectors.

Stokes Research Institute: Based at UL, this research organisation is dedicated to education and innovation in mechanical engineering science.

The location of the construction of the Bernal Building is on the South Campus, adjacent to existing science and engineering research facilities. This will strengthen further the University’s Science Zone and provide a particularly creative environment for the new research development, providing close proximity between researchers, students, professors and research facilities across different disciplines. This strategy is powered from the need for closer collaboration of creative minds that interact in an interdisciplinary way as well as sharing specialised facilities and equipment.

150 construction jobs will be created in constructing the new building with a further 75 long term, sustainable research and teaching positions also required.

The Main Contractor on the Bernal Project Read more on page 44

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www.juno.es info@junopaints.ie

is PJ Hegarty & Sons. Established in 1925, the Company is one of Ireland’s most progressive building and civil engineering firms. They undertake projects throughout Ireland and the UK from offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and London and are a leading company in major infrastructure, commercial and industrial facilities.

As an industry leader, PJ Hegarty & Sons have received numerous awards across a wide range of projects and were the first construction company to achieve ISO 9002 status in Ireland.

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The Architect is RKD Architects.

Established in 1913 by influential Dublin architect Johnny Robinson, the Company are an architectural and interior design firm specialising in the commercial, industrial, educational and health care fields.

The ceiling and wall finishes in the Bernal Building project come from JUNO Paints - Ireland, and were applied by Pro Painters – paint contractors. JUNO has recommended innovative concrete sealers and high-end washable ceiling and wall paints for this project, all ideal for the

end use of this prestigious building.

After three years presence in Ireland, JUNO is now establishing itself in Kilkenny, and will from June 2015 be serving the whole country with its innovative high quality products.

Completion of the project is expected in April 2015.

BCL Contracts Ltd., design, supply, install a variety of envelope and roofing solutions on all new and refurbishment buildings.

At BCL Contracts Ltd, we are specialist contractors in the stadium, airports and bespoke buildings sectors.

Our competitive advantage is being involved with the main contractor in the project at the initial stage and consulting on the design and specification of the envelope/ roof element of the structure. This brings further competitive advantages, potential budget savings and improving possibilities of securing the contract for the main contractor.

B.C.L. Contracts Ltd Unit G2, Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon, Limerick Telephone: 00353 61 419824 Fax: 00353 61 419826 E-mail: info@bclcontracts.com www.bclcontracts.com

In conjunction to the design and installation, BCL Contracts Ltd will also provide a competitive maintenance programme in order to ensure product guarantees and warranties are valid for the client or end user of the building. This is essential to ensure product guarantee and warranties are valid year after year.

JF Building and Civil Enginering Contractors Ltd We are pleased to be associated with PJ Hegarty on the Bernal Project at the University of Limerick and wish all involved continued success

Clonlaheen, Kilmaley, Co Claire T: 065 6839496 M: 087 2665121 E:jfbuilding@eircom.net

Email: info@waldner.ie Website: www.waldner.ie

Waldner awarded €1.2 million University of Limerick contract!

A highly skilled, educated workforce, state of the art facilities and good infrastructure continue in making Ireland a prime location for pharmaceutical and biopharma industries.

The University of Limerick is aware of the demand for highly skilled personnel within this sector and have invested greatly to have a state of the art teaching laboratory research facility for their students.

It’s not surprising the University of Limerick chose Waldner to fit out their facility with our innovative laboratory furniture and fume cupboards. Our products are manufactured and installed to a very high standard, Waldner is well known in this industry of being the number one supplier of laboratory furniture and fume cupboards.

We started this project in October of 2014 and we will be finished this project on the agreed time frame which is the 31st of March 2015. The project consisted of trespa work surfaces and sinks, under bench units, extraction canopies, service wings and special application bench mounted fume cupboards to mention just a few of our high end products we installed in this facility.

We are so honoured to have been a part of this project as we at Waldner truly believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s future!

Waldner Ireland Ltd 10-11 Orion Business Campus, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 Ph: 0044 28 90511200 Acorn Business Campus, Blackrock, Cork Ph: 021 4536120 Forsyth House, Cromac Square, Belfast BT2 8 LA Ph: 0044 2890511200

Precision Interiors is one of Cork's leading suspended ceiling and partitioning specialists with over 10 years experience of both commercial and industrial refurbishment projects on a sub-contract, or direct contract basis.

We've completed projects with some of Ireland's leading construction companies. No matter how large the project - we have the man-power you need.

Our attention to detail on every project means we have excellent references.

Our ceiling and partitioning services include:

Coolea, Windsor Hill, Glounthaune, Co. Cork

Telephone: 021 4520077 Fax: 021 4520077 www.precisioninteriors.ie

Minor repairs and alterations ● Complete refurbishment packages Suspended ceilings ● Fire cladding Specialist cladding - eg. Radiation Proof Internal partitioning of all types ● Insulation installation Fire barriers and smoke cavity barriers ● All types of plasterboard work Finishing works ● Skimcoat plastering ● Plastering and tape & jointing We are also able to provide electrical works and decorating should this be required.

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CI HOUSING

Nelson McCausland lends a hand on-site in Glengormley.

Pictured with L-R Peter Quinn, QMAC Managing Director; Steve Amos, Chair of Clanmill Housing; Nelson McCausland and Jason Arthur, Robinson McIlwaine Architects.

Glenann Court, Antrim Road Clanmil Housing Association was first registered in 1977, with a mission to “provide great homes that strengthen communities with services that matter”.

Clanmil believes that housing is about people. The Association has come a long way in the last 30+ years, with almost 4,000 properties and are ambitious to continue to grow and provide great homes.

The Association provides a variety of accommodation from family homes, to single-person properties, independent living to supported housing for dementia, mental health and disabilities; as well as hostels for women and children and group housing for Irish Travellers.

In 2013/14 the association invested some £34M in new homes, this year that figure is around £25M and numerous projects are underway both to improve and extend the housing stock.

Nine projects are due to complete this year for the Association, ranging from: 97 family homes at a cost of £10M at Felden, Newtonabbey. Work is due to complete in September, with TAL Construction working on site with JNP Architects.

Another 56 family homes are being built in Newtownards at a cost of £5M. Work here is being carried out by T&A Kernoghan and is due to complete in November; to four family homes in Bangor at a cost of £400,000, where work has recently completed. May will see a development of ten apartments completed in Irish Street, Dungannon, which Canavan Construction are developing for the association.

Investment in Clanmil Housing stock has been supported by funding from Danske Bank and Barclays, totalling some £100M, which is being invested in the

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targets to be met.” new build social homes. The funding One project that has benefitted from enabled Clanmil to access up to £80M in the funding is at Antrim Road in statutory funding from the Department for Glengormley. The development, which Social Development and kick-started the has recently completed, provides 21 construction of 1,600 much-needed social one- and two-bedroom apartments homes that will house up to 5,000 people. to accommodate active over 55’s.

Steve Amos, Chair of Clanmil Housing, The five-storey apartments have been said of the funding: “This funding leaves built to high energy efficiency standards.

Clanmil well placed to continue to play All have been designed to Secured by a major role in the provision of good Design and Lifetime Home standards, affordable homes for people in housing ensuring added security for tenants and need. The Northern Ireland economy flexibility of adaption if required at a will also benefit from much needed jobs later date. Features of the new building for the local construction industry.” include lifts, underground car parking and Welcoming the announcement of a roof terrace for use by the tenants. the additional funding by Clanmil, Designed by RMI Architects and Social Development Minister Nelson delivered by QMAC Construction, the McCausland said: “This funding will development has been named Glenann help provide an additional 1,600 social Court. Located close to the town centre, homes throughout Northern Ireland and the apartments have been designed to will be welcomed by prospective tenants meet the needs of residents to ensure and the building industry. The next three comfortable living in a safe environment. years of the Social Housing Development Programme will see housing associations significantly step up output to deliver 2,000 PLANT HIRE ● DEMOLITION ● SITE CLEARANCE new homes each GROUND WORKS ● HAULAGE year. Clanmil will play a key role in Working on Antrim Road Glengormley Site with QMac Construction. achieving these targets and this £120M loan will be invaluable in partnering match funding from 1 Drumankelly Road, Stoneyford, Lisburn BT28 3RA. my Department to allow these Telephone: 028 92648182 Mobile: 07802 435736 ambitious

Extreme Partitions Limited Already, Extreme Partitions has obtained an excellent reputation within the industry for quality, flexibility, workmanship and on-time, on-budget works completion targets.

Specialising in Metal Partitions, Drylining, Suspended Ceilings and Fire Protection Systems, we have established strong relationships with all clients including major multi-national corporations, ensuring repeat business and future company stability.

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T RCIHGOH ICE

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Qmac Construction FOLLOW US ON...

COMMUNITY CI

Ballinfoile Castlegar Community Centre After three decades of campaigning, local community groups are set to benefit from a new e3.4M Community Neighbourhood Centre in Ballinfoile.

The area has been desperate for community facilities since houses were constructed during the late 1970s, now, thanks to investment by Galway City Council and the local Ballinfoile RAPID urban regeneration and renewal committee, those facilities are set to be realised.

The state-of-the-art building, which is being constructed in Ballinfoile, will include a sports hall, community hall, meeting rooms, children’s play area and a community facilities/services area.

Main Contractor, Purcell Construction began work on site in May 2014 after the original contractor fell through.

At the signing of the contract last year, City Manager Brendan McGrath said: “I welcome this formal signing of the contract, the local community and councillors have waited a long time for this day and while we have always been

committed to delivering this project to the concentration of poverty and social exclusion people of the area it has taken time and within these areas, which in County Galway effort on behalf of the City Council and includes the towns of Ballinasloe and Tuam. the community to get the project over the The Council is now currently seeking line. This marks a significant occasion expressions of interest for the future and both the Council and Purcell’s aim management of the community centre. to ensure that the contract is delivered to the highest quality and on time.”

Proud to be associated with Purcell RAPID (revitalising Construction on the Castlegar Community & Areas by Planning, Neighbourhood Centre, Ballinfoile E. Clarke Investment (Castletown Geoghegan) Ltd. Programme) Electrical Contractor is a focussed Government E. Clarke (Castletown Geoghegan) Ltd. are an electrical contracting business in operation for over 30 years. initiative to target the 51 most Based in Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath, we have vast experience in many disadvantaged sectors of the industry including education, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, domestic, industrial & pharmaceutical projects. urban areas in the country. This aims to Castletown Geoghegan, Co Westmeath. ensure that priority Telephone: 044 922 6113 Fax: 044 922 6362 attention is given Email: info@eclarke.ie to tackle the spatial

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CI CIVIL

New Doolin Pier set to open The new Pier in the North Clare coastal village of Doolin is due to open within the next month and it is hoped the e6M project will become a key feature in North Clare’s expanding tourism trade.

For over 30 years, ferry operators have been using the old pier to provide their services. However, the growth in numbers to 100,000 per year of those who visit the Aran Islands or take excursions has meant that the old pier has struggled to cope with this increase in demand.

Another issue with the old pier was the water depth available during low tides for ferries to conveniently come in and out and berth. Some ferry operators have had to improvise and at certain times during periods of low tides, patrons would have to be taken from the pier out to deeper water where they would then have to board the ferry.

The new Pier will see the construction of a more elaborate larger pier complete with revetment. The depth issue has also been remedied with extensive dredging taking place within the vicinity of the new Pier. Ferries will be run solely from the new facilities whilst the old pier will retain certain other functions such

as fishing and other leisure activities.

The lifeboat service that operates in Doolin will also continue to use the slipway associated with the old pier.

One of the key elements to the construction was the use of very large precast concrete elements weighing up to 47 tonnes each, which were fully stable and resistant to the seas, which regularly broke over the work in progress.

These precast components were installed solely by working above water therefore eliminating the need for all diving and floating plant requirements and enabling the construction process to be mostly independent of sea state and weather conditions during the summer season.

After preparing

Carra Plant Hire Ltd. can provide Total Solutions for Pier Construction including: • Drilling • Pilling • Blasting • Reclamation • Deep Sea Dredging • Rock Armour • Rock Splitting • Engineering Carra Plant Hire Ltd. operates a large fleet of machinery including, Long Reach Excavators up to 50 ton, 40 ton Dump trucks, Furukawa & Sandvik Drilling Rigs Office: +353 91 843347 Mobile: +353 86 8387463 Email: declan@carraplant.com www.carraplant.com

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the seabed by blasting, rock breaking and dredging, the precast units were placed in the water by a 160t Leibherr crawler crane and their toes concreted in. The units were then filled with blasted rock material, the residue from the dredging activity and concrete and the Pier has been completed by conventional insitu concrete construction. The entire

structure is anchored to the bedrock.

A special feature of the new Pier is the construction of the revetment. Instead of the usual construction of very large rock armour units, a pre-designed precast concrete unit, consisting of approximately 450 “X-blocks”, was used - the voids ratio within this type of revetment is greater than in relation to the more conventional rock armour structure. This design was

chosen because it is more effective in absorbing wave energy with the result that any reflection off the new structure becomes less likely to compromise the integrity of the nearby surfing wave.

Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer and Doolin Pier Project Manager commented: “The provision of this new pier will have a hugely positive impact on ferry operations already based in Doolin Harbour. It

will also facilitate increasing demands for tourist interaction with the Aran islands and ferry excursions to the Cliffs of Moher. The Doolin Lifeboat Service and fishery and leisure interests also benefit by virtue of the fact that they will no longer have to compete with ferry operations for use of the existing pier”.

Main Contractor on this project is L & M Keating.

Sean Crowley Plant Hire Ltd Plant Hire - Groundworks Land Reclamation - Forestry Services - Heavy Haulage

Telephone: 087 681 3969 e-mail: crowleyplant@gmail.com Kilmihil - Co. Clare 49

CI EDUCATION

Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet

Promoting future excellence Our Lady’s Secondary School has been at the forefront of second level education in the Erris area since 1943. Over the years it has set out to provide as broad an education as possible to the students in its care.

The school has maintained a very high standard of education over the years and aims to continue this into the future. To this end, the school has been expanded and built upon over the years, providing extra teaching spaces as well as the latest in educational facilities.

Extensions to the school in 1946, 1953 and 1962 have made the school slightly disparate and lacking in direction, while the original materials used made for extremely poor insulation and the general condition was non-conducive to learning.

Work has therefore been underway at the school which comprises a 2,660sq m new build extension and the total refurbishment of the existing building resulting in a total school area in excess of 5,000sq m.

The new school extension and refurbishment of the existing building brings together modern building design principles in order to create fully functional and compliant rooms, that means the school environment can become a centre of excellence for learning in the future.

A number of challenges were encountered on this project, the first being its location.

Not only is the school in a remote, rural and coastal location, but the Erris peninsula where the school is located, frequently experiences wind speeds of over 150km/hr.

This fact needed to be taken into account from the first drawings, with the design wind load needing to be increased from the standard 27m/s to 44m/s. A robust design capable of withstanding these extreme conditions was required including the roof, soffitt and fascia detailing.

50

Air tightness and high thermal performance were of utmost importance, along with careful detailing at the junction of new and existing to meet these demands, and maximise the thermal performance of the building.

Further to this, blockwork panels needed to be built under temporary protection canopies in order to ensure quality was maintained whilst working with fair faced blockwork. The remoteness of the site required careful logistical planning in order to get materials delivered on site when required.

In addition to the new build, the project involved complex phasing and sequencing of works to accommodate the refurbishment of the existing facilities, including the M&E refurbishment, roof replacement and asbestos removal.

With designs provided by Taylor Architects, the new build works comprise a two-

storey block of classrooms, lab rooms and a multi purpose hall. The building structure is a reinforced concrete and steel frame, with fairfaced blockwork infill, aluminium windows and an external rendered finish. Roof construction is prefabricated insulated cladding system.

The new focal point for the building is the double height central circulation space and social areas along with the GP and PE halls, creating a modern social environment for the pupils. Ease of movement between new and existing blocks at various levels combines to consolidate the unity of the overall school complex.

The new and refurbished elements are planned over two storeys, with accommodation arranged around two enclosed central landscaped courtyards, with a central glazed link which focuses on linked social spaces. The link acts as Read more on page 52

www.kilcawleyconstruction.com

a social space itself, as well as a practical circulation shortcut. As well as maximising daylight and natural ventilation within the teaching spaces, these courtyards provide a visual interest and focal point, finished with a variety of hard and soft finishes, along with high quality outdoor seating.

All teaching areas (with the exception of the PE Hall) together with administration offices and habitable rooms, have been designed to have a horizontal vista and a view to the outside environment.

The existing classrooms have been completely refitted with equipment,

laboratory equipment and furniture and a complete overhaul of the M&E services has also been carried out.

Externally, new social areas for the pupils have been established, together with a new GAA pitch, extensive drainage works, storm drainage and new car parks, access roads and basketball/playing courts.

Work has been undertaken by Kilcawley Construction, one of Ireland’s longest established contracting companies.

Established in 1934, the founders made ‘Excellence in Construction’ their mission, and this is still the core philosophy around

M Keavney Tarmacadam We are pleased to be associated with

Lee Barrett Blockwork

wish all involved continued success

We are pleased to be associated with Our Lady’s Secondary School Extension, Belmullet and wish all involved continued success

Turlough, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Derrydara, Newton Castle, Co. Longford

Kilcawley Construction on the extension at Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet and

Tel: 094 9023853 Email: mkeavneytarmacadam@gmail.com

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which the business revolves today.

Kilcawley’s founders would be pleased to see that it’s aim is still reaping rewards with the project at Our Lady’s being shortlisted as a finalist in The Irish Building & Design Awards 2015 as School Building Project of the Year (awards ceremony to be carried out on 24th April). Much to the pleasure of Kilcawley Construction and the Clients; despite the challenges, Kilcawley Construction still successfully delivered a durable, robust, cost-effective project to the original timeframe and within budget.

Tel: 086 1641825 Email: nearyandbarrett@gmail.com

EDUCATION CI

Grangegorman Urban quarter in Dublin

A multi-million pound scheme that will provide education, health, and social facilities is taking shape in Dublin.

Grangegorman, which is the site of the new Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) campus, has been in planning for a number of years and when it is completed, it will be the largest investment in third level education in the history of the state, and will provide DIT state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate the thousands of dedicated students who already attend the college.

The Grangegorman campus will also include an impressive student centre, high quality student accommodation, international standard sporting facilities, many social areas and premier academic facilities that will all be situated in the heart of Dublin City and connected by many bus routes and the new Luas Cross City line.

As well as the many different buildings onsite that will be used by DIT, significant work will provide facilities for the HSE, which has already seen the relocation of residents and staff to an award winning new mental health facility - the Phoenix Care Centre.

A residential healthcare building, primary and elderly care building, and community and continuing healthcare building will all be located within the HSE campus of the site, which will have the Primary Care Centre at its core.

Along with DIT and HSE facilities, another major consideration for the redevelopment is to provide public recreational and amenity resources that will comprise of; co-located DIT and public libraries, a new primary school for Dublin 7 Educate Together, playgrounds, and public sports facilities which will include access to sports pitches for local teams and schools.

The masterplan for the site that stretches over 73 acres was won in 2007 by Moore

Ruble Yudell Architects, whose Principalin-Charge, James Mary O’Connor, is working on an Irish-based scheme for the first time, and he was delighted to be given the opportunity to work on such a prestigious project, especially so close to where he grew up.

He said: “I’d never built anything here and it seemed like a site that was frozen in time. I grew up very near to Grangegorman and used to pass through it all the time so I felt like I knew it intimately.

“In addition, I’d studied at DIT, so the project really appealed to me.”

Once completed, the development will unite 39 buildings consolidated onto one campus, and will cater for up to 20,000 staff and students. DIT has five colleges.

This grouping of buildings are amongst the 11 protected structures in Grangegorman, which also includes the old Roman Catholic Church, the former Mortuary, now renamed as Orchard House, the former Special Care Units, now renamed as Rathdown House, and the male and female Infirmaries, renamed as Glassmongue and Bradogue respectively.

They will be added to by various new facilities and the many retail shops, restaurants and DIT cafes that will be provided along St Brendan’s Way, which will run straight through the hub.

Roadbridge Ltd and Purcell Construction are both providing work on the Student Hub. The site infrastructure and public realm (SI&PR) contract covering the entire site, which Roadbridge have, ise26M. The Adaptive Reuse of the protected structures which Purcell Construction have is a separate contract.

Work on the Student Hub has provided more than 200 construction jobs since the first sod was turned in December 2013.

Redevelopment at Grangegorman and the jobs it is expected to provide is a key part of the Government’s Jobs Stimulus Plan and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, visited the site earlier this year and emphasised the importance of the Grangegorman development.

“To supplement that Stimulus Programme, I looked once again at alternative ways to fund development that would both create jobs and meet additional infrastructural requirements,” he said.

“In 2012 I was able to announce the recommencement of our PPP programme with a package of e1.5Bn of measures announced.

“In advance I took the opportunity to visit the Grangegorman site to see first hand the potential of this project not just for the local area but for the city and country as a whole.

“Some e180M of this is going towards the Grangegorman project, with e300M to be invested in it overall by the Government up to September 2017.”

Construction of the Central and East Quads through Public Private Partnership (PPP) are part of this stimulus package and work will commence in September 2015.

Upon completion, it will see a further 10,000 students and staff arrive at Grangegorman.

Broadstone Gate will be the new main gateway for Grangegorman, which will include a new Luas stop as part of the Luas Cross City Initiative.

The gate will open in 2017 ready for 10,000 DIT students to arrive and it will be the beginning of St Brendan’s Way, which is the main thoroughfare through the site.

Grangegorman promises to bring a whole host of benefits for years to come.

Providing intelligent IT infrastructure since 1989.

Dublin ● Cork ● Limerick ● Derry www.kedington.ie 53

CI COMMENT

Trade Association’s inaugural conference puts range of invasive weeds under the spotlight National trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) is holding a specialised conference, dedicated to the subject of non-native invasive plants.

‘Understanding Invasive Weeds; Japanese Knotweed, Fact and Fiction’ takes place on 23 September at The Vale Resort, Hensol, Cardiff.

It is the first conference held by the PCA’s specialist Invasive Weed Control Group and is being facilitated by Richard Newis, Ashfield Japanese Knotweed (chair), Ian Graham, Complete Weed Control and Professor Max Wade, AECOM. As well as seeking to promote a level headed and evidence based approach to Japanese knotweed, there will also be a focus on other invasive weeds such as Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed, which are coming increasingly under the radar in the UK following new EU regulations, which came into effect in January.

These regulations will empower government agencies to issue Control Orders that necessitate the removal of high risk invasive weed species from specified sites, potentially including housing construction projects and neighbouring properties.

The conference is of interest to a widerange of professionals, reflecting the impact invasive weeds have across the UK. These include local authorities, statutory agencies, the rail, road and port industries, lawyers, utility companies, estate managers, house builders and developers, landlords, estate agents, housing associations, property agents, academia, surveyors and asset managers.

To register an interest in the event please email sue@property-care.org Stephen Hodgson, Chief Executive of the PCA, said: “The conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to update their work and practices and explore the control of invasive weeds at a landscape scale.

“For several years now we have taken

54

steps to control Japanese knotweed. It is just a plant and we are taking all steps necessary to ‘normalise’ it, so it is viewed generally as any other type of property problem, in that it can be identified and treated, with minimal impact.

“Increasingly, our focus will now include adopting this approach to other invasive weeds, in line with the requirements of the new EU regulations. This conference will provide an excellent opportunity to find out more about the subject.”

In 2012, The Property Care Association – which has been in formation for more than 80 years - worked with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and The Building Societies Association together with Japanese knotweed control companies that currently operate within the UK, to set up the Invasive Weed Control Group, to signpost consumers to professional treatment companies.

CIVIL CI

Upgrade to Tempo Wastewater Treatment Works underway Work is currently underway to upgrade Tempo Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in County Fermanagh with Northern Ireland Water investing £750,000 to replace equipment at the existing works and bring it into line with Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) standards.

Northern Ireland Water is a Government Owned Company (GoCO) set up in April 2007 to provide the water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. Some 560M litres of clean water is supplied every day for nearly 1.8M people as well as treating 320M litres of wastewater a day.

The GoCo is currently engaged in an ongoing process of improving and upgrading the water supply infrastructure throughout the Fermanagh area

with £2.2M set to be invested.

These upgraded works will improve the quality, reliability and security of the local water supply, while reducing leakage and improving pressure in the area.

The refurbishment works are being carried out by Cookstown-based Enisca and will accommodate growth in population and comply with current and anticipated future NIEA discharge consent standards.

Enisca is a multi-disciplinary design, engineering and construction business operating in the power and environmental sectors delivering innovative, sustainable and quality solutions for public and private sector clients within these markets.

John Griffin, Senior Project Manager at NI Water said: “The work at Tempo

Wastewater Treatment Works is good news for customers in the Tempo area as this investment enables NI Water to replace the aging mechanical process equipment, which has the end of its service life, with a more energy efficient treatment process.

“The enhanced facility will increase the capacity for wastewater treatment while meeting all wastewater quality requirements, as well as bringing many environmental benefits, not least improving the water quality in the local rivers and tributaries which flow into Lough Erne.”

The work on this project is expected to be complete by summer 2015.

Founded in 1981 & based in Pomeroy Co. Tyrone, E Quinn Contracts are Ireland’s foremost road planing contractor.

Ideally sited in the heart of mid Ulster, we are perfectly placed to offer our range of services to each corner of Ireland. We are a family operated business and we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations through delivery of road planing services.

Innovation, quality and excellent service are the cornerstones of our business and we continually strive to improve our service in all our work aspects.

Continual investment in our plant keeps us at the forefront of this competitive industry.

Specialising in the provision of road planing and road sweeping services throughout UK & Ireland

E Quinn Contracts operate Ireland’s largest fleet of road milling machines. We currently have 10 Wirtgen road planers ranging in size from 0.35m drum to 2.0m drums enabling us to complete works from small country roads and driveways to airport runways and

Quinn Contracts Ltd 11 Lucy Street, Pomeroy, Dungannon Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland BT70 2QS

Phone: 028 8775 8381 Fax: 028 8775 9575 E-Mail: info@quinncontracts.com www.quinncontracts.com

motorways.

Our staff are trained to the highest industry standards and our fleet is rigorously maintained and upgraded regularly.

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CI PROFILE

Kevin Watson Group

Building homes with Apex Continually striving excellence and quality, the Kevin Watson Group is committed to providing high quality solutions to architectural and engineering challenges.

KWG has been in operation since 1987 when Kevin Watson started the Company in London. Kevin built the Company to its current status today as an accomplished, well renowned family run business, which has completed projects in all sectors of the construction industry, from hotels, stadiums, apartment blocks and social housing complexes, to extensions to shopping centres, commercial and retail parks, civil engineering works and the education sector, as a well as private house builder.

Through the diversity of projects, Kevin Watson Group has gained a reputation as a Company that completes projects to a high standard of quality and workmanship. KWG is an experienced, innovative, thriving Company striving to exceed in the construction sector.

One recent project undertaken by KWG is for Apex Housing, at Culdaff Gardens, Derry. This ÂŁ1.8M project comprises 27 social houses in an established residential area. Construction consists of traditional foundations, with brick and render and a super structure. The development is being constructed to very high standards with excellent U vales, with photovoltaic panels fitted for high energy efficiency. Work began on site in Spring 2013 with the demolition of 18 properties at Culdaff Gardens.

Completed in August 2014, the development provides 27 three-person, two-bedroom homes; a combination of four bungalows, one being designed specifically for a wheelchair user, and 23 two-storey houses. All the homes are designed to be adaptable for the users as they age.

Ground conditions for contractors were poor, with numerous utilities and services needing to be reconfigured and a difficult tight site to build on to. While a major undertaking of extending the storm water sewer was also required.

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This involved the installation of 140m and comprises a further 67 homes for of storm sewer and the construction Apex Housing. At a cost of ÂŁ5.9M, the of five manholes at surface level. development consists of modular timber Designs for the development were frame hosing on modular ground beams provided by McGirr Architects. and piled foundations. Again energy Kevin Watson has a good history with Apex efficiency measures are a high priority on Housing and has completed numerous this scheme, with solar panels included. projects for them over the years and is While in Belfast, some 27 houses are currently working with the housing provider being constructed for Apex on Clara on a number of projects across Northern Street. The development is being Ireland. Apex Housing is a major housing completed to a very high standard association, managing a stock of some providing renewable energy measures.

4,5000 homes, which will grow to over 5,500 homes following numerous planned programmes.

Bradley Pass, Londonderry is a ÂŁ5M development for Apex, which will provide 67 UPVC Soffits, Gutters, Fascias, homes when Downpipes & Cladding complete. Based on a site which had very poor 10 Year Guarantee on all work ground conditions, construction comprises Available in different colours a traditional blockwork structure and a Maintenance Free mixture of modular and traditional foundations. The Free Quotations development is being completed Cast Iron Work also undertaken to a very high standard, with renewable 7 Ashburn Park, Eglinton, Londonderry BT47 3AJ energy features included such as Photovoltaic panels Tel / Fax: 028 718 10381 and a high level of Mobile: 07732 760236 energy efficiency measures.

Email: veronicalogue@hotmail.co.uk Buncrana Road is also situated in Londonderry,

Foyle Valley Guttering Service

COMMUNITY CI

Hollyhill Library

Hollyhill community to benefit from purpose-built library facilities Excitement builds in Hollyhill as the construction of a state-of-the-art library draws to a close. Built on the grounds of the Terence MacSwiney Community College, the e4.1M Hollyhill Library development replaces an existing facility previously deemed no longer fit for purpose by Cork City Council. It’s completion – expected in the summer months – will come as welcome relief to the Hollyhill community and to Cork City Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, for whom this has been a major undertaking.

Construction of new building first began in early 2014. In the intervening months Hollyhill Library has been relocated to a temporary site situated close to the Library’s former premises. Despite the potential for upheaval, disruption has been kept to a minimum, with a full library service made available to the community throughout the construction process.

Blarney-based Cumnor Construction is currently putting the finishing touches on the Harbour View Road development, while a comprehensive interior fit-out – which will see the installation of a raft of shelving and ancillary equipment – is expected to take place in May. A collaborative endeavour, the scheme has involved the combined efforts of a number local contractors alongside Cork City Council, who have provided architectural and project management services. More than 60 short-term construction jobs have been created as part of the contract, making this a valuable addition to Hollyhill’s local economy.

The external leaf brickwork, laid by Cumnor and industry partner GSM Construction, is composed of concrete blockwork.

Polished limestone blocks have been introduced to the front of the library with a view to creating an eye-catching feature entrance. The strict 4mm mortar joint complicated matters however and

“My Department is firmly committed to required finesse from both contractors to the successful regeneration of the Cork ensure a prosthetically pleasing finish.

North West Quarter and has made a Excited at the prospect of the finished substantial investment to the Masterplan building, the Library’s staff are currently for the regeneration of the area which I working to have all new books ready believe will revive communities, create in advance of the prospective summer employment opportunities for local opening. Completion of the Hollyhill Library people and improve housing stock.” development will mark an important milestone in Cork City Council’s ambitious North West Quarter Regeneration Plan – a multi-million euro scheme set to improve the fabric of Cork’s North West Quarter. To date the regeneration has included a number of reparation works to existing estates in addition to the wholesale creation of new developments.

In Knocknaheeny the first phase of a e4.3M housing development to provide 23 threebed houses is taking shape. Due for completion in September 2015, the project is further indication BUILDING & CIVIL ENGINEERING of the Department of Environment, SPECIALISTS Community and Local Government’s longterm commitment 17 Curragh Conway Court, Frankfield, Co Cork to the North West Quarter.

Tel: 087 6789205 / 086 0487920 Speaking of the Email: aiden@palmira.ie scheme Minister for Housing, Jan O’Sullivan said:

PALMIRA

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CI COMMUNITY

Daughters of Charity, St Vincent Centre The Company of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul was founded in 1633 by St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac. The first community of non-cloistered sisters, it now numbers 25,000 members across the globe. The sisters came to Ireland in 1855 and have been involved in providing services for persons with intellectual disability since 1892 when they were given charge of a workhouse in Cabra, now known as St Vincent’s Centre, Navan Road.

Over the years, the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services has developed a number of different centre and community based supports. These have been based out of the Daughters’ centres across Ireland. Established first, the St Vincent’s Centre is badly in need of refurbishment, being in a state of disrepair that as such it is threatening sustainability of services.

A phased programme is underway at the centre which will provide completely refurbished residential and day services facilities in St Vincent’s Centre to match the high quality of service provided to those most in need in society.

One of the projects ongoing at the centre is the refurbishment and renovation of the existing swimming pool, plant access and changing facilities. The pool was in need of the refurbishment due to its age and accessibility issues, and the 1970s facility really needed to be brought up to modern

standards, having been closed for some five years. Funding was provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The building itself is a steel frame structure with glass and brick cladding.

Externally the curtain walling is being replaced as well as a glass porch/ reception area being added onto the building. Fascia and soffitt panels are also being replaced with a fibre cement rain screen cladding.

Internally the changing areas are having an overhaul which will also provide facilities for the severely disabled, while a new foyer and entrance will give a new public face to the building, enhancing both customer and staff experiences.

Construction has been undertaken by Manley Construction under a phased contract, allowing for circulation, parking and site storage issues.

The original design for the project was by Seamus Keller, with the fit out by Eoghan Garland

McLaughlin Plastering

Architect who is contracted to take the project through to completion.

Door Manufacturers Since 1908 Kelly Doors has earned a reputation over 100 years for quality and reliability in the production of joinery and is the

16 St Mochtas Chase, Clonsilla, Dublin 15

Tel: 087 2103604

Email: mclaughlinplastering@hotmail.com 58

longest established door manufacturer in Ireland.

Rossmore Estate, Monaghan, Ireland Telephone : 00353 (0)47 81157 Fax : 00353 (0)47 84162 E-mail : info@kellybrothers.ie www.kellybrothers.ie

enquiries@unionsquaresoftware.com

www.unionsquaresoftware.com

www.mcavoygroup.com