IKO PLC, as part of their ‘Fix That Hut’ campaign, donated free-of-charge single ply roofing membrane which helped the BBC’s DIY SOS programme take on its biggest project to date, transforming a dilapidated youth centre for Children in Need. The programme was aired on 11th November, and was also shown as part of a ‘Children in Need’ special which saw the DIY SOS team led by Nick Knowles, regenerate and extend Norris Green Youth Centre in Liverpool back in September. The project is the biggest ‘Big Build’ of the series so far. The building, which is in one of the most deprived areas of Liverpool, was transformed in just 9 days. A project this size would normally take 6 to 8 months to complete. Plumbers, joiners, carpenters, general builders, plasterers, gardeners, glazers, painters & decorators and floor restorers all took part in the work to rejuvenate the centre into a more modern facility. The centre is now used by over 50 children and young adults, and is also accessible for the elderly for coffee mornings etc. It has provided people in the local community the opportunity to develop skills and confidence and instil positive attitudes to help provide a path to further education, employment and active community spirit. The centre has been credited with transforming many young lives over the years by steering people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. It has two music rooms, a coffee room, ICT room, art room, football pitch, sports hall, offices, snooker room, and a conference room. The building was originally an old boys club built 52 years ago and resembles two aircraft hangars placed next to each other. The community centre roof measured almost 900m2 with two barrel vault sections, so it therefore presented a significant challenge to complete within the allotted time. Site Engineers from roofing and waterproofing manufacturers, IKO PLC, worked closely with installing roofing contractors Fulwood Roofing Services (Northern) Ltd, to offer specialist technical advice and expertise on the most suitable system. The single ply system chosen was ideal for the centre due to its speed of application, health and safety credentials, and aesthetics, and IKO and Fulwood ensured all building regulations were adhered to.
The IKO Polymeric Single Ply system consisted of;
- Armourplan SM120 Mid Grey Membrane (mechanically fixed)
- Spectratex Separation Fleece Outlets (supplied by Fastec)
- Peel Stop Bar (supplied by Fastec)
- Fixings (supplied by SIG Design & Technology)
- Preformed Coated Metal (supplied by SIG Design & Technology)
The ‘big reveal’ was on the 9th and final day of the transformation, and several members of the local community were chosen as the privileged few who saw the inside of the centre in all it’s glory, and had a tour of the facilities with Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team, and the tradesmen & tradeswomen. Fulwood Roofing Services (Northern) Ltd are one of the leading roofing contractors in the North West and are located close-by to the community centre. Fulwood pledged 7 men to the project free of charge in order to complete the work on time and to a very high standard. Steve Bates, Director at Fulwood comments; “We are so proud to have been part of the transformation of the community centre. The children and young adults who were at the revealing on the last day, were so excited and emotional with what they now have in their community. These children are the future, and supporting a big build project such as this makes our work very worth while.” As a manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing products, IKO PLC's 'Fix That Hut' campaign seeks out needy projects such as village halls, scout huts and other buildings which are at the heart of local communities, and provides roofing and waterproofing materials free-of-charge to help with refurbishment. The ‘Fix That Hut’ campaign has helped projects throughout the UK and IKO were delighted to have been able to contribute to such a worthy cause such as Children in Need. For more information regarding IKO’s ‘Fix That Hut’ campaign, or you’d like to put forward a project, please contact Jane Carter at IKO for further information at jane.carter@ikogroup.co.uk or enter online at www.fixthathut.co.uk
