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Improvements and Updates
Redecoration Programme With so many people using the centre, certain rooms are subject to more than the average wear and tear. In order to keep up the high standards we set ourselves, we have carried out the following work :- In May 2019, the entrance lobby, the reception foyer and the two circulation corridors were redecorated. In August 2019, the external windows and doors were redecorated. In May/June 2020, taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the temporary closure of the centre, two meeting rooms (Longmore and Silvermere) and three halls, (Spitfire, David Tyrie and Thornycroft) were redecorated. All this work was carried out by a local painting contractor. Other areas are starting to look tired, so we hope to carry out further redecorations later this year. PREVIOUS IMPROVEMENTS:
New heating/cooling system for Longmore/Silvermere rooms Following the success of the heating/cooling system in David Tyrie hall, a similar arrangement has been installed in the Longmore and Silvermere rooms. A comfortable environment was particularly essential here, as it is the main area used by Southampton Day Services in their valuable work with vulnerable people. In order to further improve the heating in the centre, the room thermostats have now been relocated to more sensible/strategic positions to allow the gas fired boilers and radiators to work more efficiently. We are pleased to report that this measure has proved to be particularly effective. It has been a long and expensive haul, but the whole building is now more comfortable and manageable than it has ever been since the completion of the refurbishment in 2013. New heating/cooling system for main hall It has always been a struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in David Tyrie (DT) hall and in the two associated halls, Spitfire and Thornycroft, when the sliding partitions are open. Extremes of hot and cold were impossible to cope with given the existing radiators and with no ventilation system (other than opening the fire exit doors and disturbing the neighbours!) We are pleased to report that a state of the art heating/cooling system has now been installed in David Tyrie hall, which will enable us to fully control the environment in this very large area and keep our customers happy. |
New flooring for the Centre The carpet tiles fitted during the refurbishment over three years ago were proving very difficult to keep clean, a situation made even worse by the presence of a bitumen backing layer which "leached" out indelible black spots from time to time. You may recall that we replaced this unsatisfactory flooring in Spitfire, Thornycroft, Silvermere and Longmore rooms over the last two years, with seam welded sheet vinyl flooring, in a grey oak plank finish. We have now replaced the carpet tiles in the reception foyer and the corridors with a high quality product called Desso Tweed. This is a very hard wearing carpet tile and we have chosen a dark blue/black mottled colour which should look cleaner longer. We shall also be able to use our in-house wet-vac cleaner now, rather than employ professional carpet cleaners. We have taken the opportunity to fit a sheet vinyl "D" shaped area by the cafe to take spillages at the servery. The work to the reception foyer and corridors was fully funded by Southampton Day Services. The only original carpet tiles now remaining are in the Reception office, the Church room and the Boiler room lobby and can now be considered as an endangered species, although we don't anticipate any pressure groups rushing to save them from extinction! The work was once again carried out by a local business, The Flooring Company and they have done a very neat job. They were very co-operative and worked very efficiently, but with minimal disruption to activities. We would highly recommend this company and they can be found at 128 Portsmouth Road, Woolston, SO19 9AP, website www.wearetheflooringcompany.com e-mail contact@wearetheflooringcompany.com |
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NURSERY UNIT: The Nursery Unit
