Renovations to St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in Wilford have now started thanks to a major grant from Biffa Award.
Backed by a contribution from Carter’s Educational Foundation, the grant will fund a much-needed upgrade to the toilet area, including the installation of a new accessible toilet.
At the same time, the existing kitchen will be extended and refurbished, with a servery hatch opening directly into the hall.
Additional external wall insulation and sealed double-glazing units in the ground floor windows will significantly reduce both the hall’s energy needs and the overall environmental impact of the building.
The works are expected to be completed by the end of December 2022.
Church Hall Committee member, Alice Veldtman, said: “It is so important that we maintain these spaces to be able to respond to the ever-changing needs of the community.
“For example, when other venues had to close under the Covid restrictions, we were able to respond to a request for help, enabling a group of vulnerable adults to continue to be supported throughout the pandemic.
“We are delighted to be able to begin work to improve the main hall, as a place for community life to thrive. These works will make such a huge difference to the access and use of the halls.”
Biffa Award Grant Manager, Rachel Maidment, said:
“At Biffa Award, we are proud to support projects which are so integral to the life of their community, bringing people together and giving them the opportunity to share experiences.
“Projects like this provide the means for a community to thrive and ensure that the community can continue to use the facility in comfort all year round.”
St Wilfrid’s Church vicar, George White said:
“We are so excited to see these facilities fulfil even more of their potential and continue to benefit the church and wider community.
“I’m personally very grateful to those on the halls team who have given their time, energy and considerable skills into making this a reality. My prayer is that these halls would be a hub of hope and joy in the city for years to come.”
Jessica O’Keeffe, Director of O’Keeffe’s Construction, the main contractor, said: “We know how important this sort of resource can be to a community. As a local firm, we are delighted to be involved in the continued renovation of St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in Wilford.”
