Totty Building Services - Mixed-Use Development - Wakefield, New £745k Drama Studio for Cathedral School

Date: 24 Aug 2006

Totty Building Services has secured a £745K project from the City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council to construct a new drama studio at Cathedral School. The work to enhance and improve facilities at the school also includes a major programme of refurbishment and the creation of a dedicated dance studio.

The project has been carefully phased to minimise potential disruption to both staff and students, with the construction of the drama building well underway during the summer holiday period. The steel frame, single-storey extension, is being built within an internal courtyard at the school and comprises two drama studios with sprung hardwood timber floors, separated by a folding partition wall, providing excellent flexibility for the space.

A range of refurbishment work will also be undertaken within the school to improve facilities and upgrade mechanical & electrical services. Within the music department, Totty will carry out minor demolition works to rationalise the existing space and create a number of new practice rooms. The kitchen facilities will also be modernised and the removal and reconstruction of a number of internal walls will increase capacity.

A new servery will be installed and the dining area refurbished as part of the works package. A further phase of the project will see Totty transform an existing hall within the school into a new dance studio complete with sprung hardwood timber floor. By phasing the programme, Totty will ensure that critical facilities are undisturbed during term time, with the scheme due for completion by July 2007.

Philip Ryder, managing director of Totty Building Services, commented: "Our latest education project at Cathedral School is a technically challenging proposition, with particularly narrow access ways severely restricting the type of equipment that can be used. A comprehensive traffic management system and carefully scheduled works programme have been implemented to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum disruption on this busy site."

Where do I go now?: » View the latest news items » View the news archive » Subscribe to Weekly Construction Newsletter » Submit news