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14 December, 2003
Now that our old church hall has been sold we are able to focus completely on the building and fitting out of our new hall.
As you can see work has now begun on the site of the new hall. At the moment we are ensuring all the necessary services are in place - gas, electricity and water. We are also digging boreholes to check the firmness of the earth in preparation for the laying of foundations. We anticipate actual building work to commence on 5th January.
After considering the recommendations of various consultants and the Diocesan Buildings and Estates Manager, the Parish Pastoral Council have given their approval to appoint James Anderson as the building contractor for the new hall. The Contractor’s work will be independently assessed by the construction consultancy firm Mackenzie Partnership. Each month Mackenzie Partnership will report on the progress of the hall to the project team, including build quality and cost control.
During the construction of the new hall it is important that we have the cooperation of St Mary's Parishioners in the following areas.
Traffic Management
The lane from the barrier to the old hall must be kept clear at all times. Bollards have been put in place to prevent cars blocking this area. However after Mass and other events held in the church these bollards will be pushed to the side to allow parishioners to exit onto the Bridgegate end of West Road. Once the hall is complete a more permanent system of bollards will be put in place.
Weddings / Funerals etc.
In advance of a wedding or a funeral Fr Boyd will notify the Contractor that the church will be in use. The Contractor will then, as much as possible, ensure construction site traffic is kept to a minimum and that noise levels are reduced. For the short period of time when building work will be carried out in the church itself, weddings and funerals will be held at St Margaret's in Castlepark. Advance notice will be given of this stage in the build.
Health and Safety
During the building contract period, legal ownership of the building site transfers to our Contractor. This allows Fr Boyd, our consultants and the Contractor to safely control the development. The Health and Safety Executive impose strict obligations on everyone involved especially those on site. It is for this reason that we must ensure that parishioners do not try to go onto the site, offer advice or enter into a discussion with the Contractor's staff. There is always the potential that innocent or well meant words may give rise to unplanned commitments. If a parishioner has any concerns about the building work during construction please discuss them with Fr Boyd and not directly with the contractors.
Finally, I would like to thank all those involved in clearing out the old hall. You did a tremendous job and the team very much appreciate your willingness to support this project with hard labour ! There will be a further update on the progress of the hall in the New Year but for now may I on behalf of the team extended our best wishes to you for the festive season. Merry Christmas.
Julie Teaz, Project Director |
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24th February 2004 Press Release
(This press release was given to local and Catholic press on the occasion of the completion of the foundations.) (See also Photo Page)
St Mary’s, West Road, Irvine - New Church Hall
After a year in planning, work has started on the new quarter-of-a-million-pound Church Hall at St Mary’s, West Road, Irvine. It is due for completion in the autumn. Fr Boyd, Parish Priest, is confident that the new hall will meet the pastoral needs of St Mary’s parishioners and provide services to the wider Irvine community. St Mary’s has been in the heart of Irvine for 129 years and is taking this crucial step for future generations of parishioners and to show its commitment to the wider community of Irvine.
The new hall is being constructed to the left hand side of the church and both hall and church will be linked by a shared new communal porch. On entering the porch you will be able to turn right into the church, which will have a new reception area, or to turn left into the new hall. This purpose built facility will offer, on one level, a spacious hall, a separate lounge area, 2 meeting rooms, toilet facilities and a catering kitchen. The hall has been specially designed to meet the needs of all of the community, including those with young children and individuals with a disability.
Wherever possible local trades’ people are being used to plan, design and build the hall. Local builder, James Anderson Limited, is the main contractor, with Blairs of Irvine supplying the kitchen and it is anticipated that contracts will shortly to be awarded to other local businesses. Mr. Iain Kirkpatrick, Diocese of Galloway Estates Manager said “ It is important to support the local economy as much as possible when undertaking a community project”.
As a charitable organisation St Mary’s is delighted to have received grant assistance of £6,000 from LloydsTSB Foundation for Scotland and £2,000 from the Irvine Common Good Fund. However there is a long way to go and, even with the money already received from the sale of the old church hall, finance is critical. A bank borrowing facility of £100,000 has been secured which means that parishioners will be servicing a loan for the next 10 years. To this end, not only parishioners, but also the people of Irvine are invited to support the fundraising events. Any donations or bequests would be most gratefully received.
St Mary’s hopes this new hall will give the community a central gathering point in Irvine and looks forward to welcoming back current hall users such as The Over 50’s Club and Ladies Guild. It is also hoped that new clubs and groups will use the hall such as a mother and toddler group, youth club, forum for the blind, disabled group, bereavement support and carers respite and that the hall and these services will be available to the whole community.
Councillor David O’Neill, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, welcoming St Mary’s new development, said “St Mary’s plays a vital part in our community and we have enjoyed many events hosted by St Mary’s over the years and look forward to many more in the new hall”
The Rt. Rev. Maurice Taylor, Bishop of Galloway, has been a strong supporter of the new hall from the start and wishes the project every success he commented “The hall will be a great asset to Irvine and we are delighted that this build is finally underway.”
Julie Teaz, Project Leader, said “We are delighted to have had unanimous support from both parishioners and townsfolk for the new hall. The project team are very excited about the benefits that this hall will bring to Irvine .”
The members of the project team are listed elsewhere. In addition to the project team a building consultancy firm, Mackenzie Partnerships, has been employed to monitor every aspect of the build.
For those wishing to make donations, to obtain information on groups using the hall or who are considering the possibility of using the hall for functions please contact Fr Boyd at St Mary’s Church, West Road, Irvine.
Press Contact
Julie Teaz, Project Director
General Enquires Contact
Fr W.Boyd, Parish Priest
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