Chichester: Construction starts on new conference centre
Sue Livett, managing director of the Aldingbourne Trust, near Chichester, surveyed the very large hole in the ground next to its existing facilities with anticipation. Although it will take Amiri Construction until Easter 2018 to complete the three-story conference centre designed by Chichester-based architects HNW, Livett admitted that the idea for the project had been gestating for more than 10 years.
“It has been a rollercoaster to get everything, including funding in place. The new building will have conference facilities for 100 people, a new café with a much larger training kitchen for the people we support, shop, and fully accessible facilities,” said Livett. “The support we have received has been tremendous, including generous gifts, donations and visits from many individuals, local businesses, trusts and the Coast 2 Capital local enterprise partnership. The positive difference that the new centre will make to the people we support, our visitors who enjoy a great day out, and our hardworking volunteers and training staff, will be immense.”
The new conference facilities will have seating for 100 people and will include a new entrance to the centre, shop, WCs and accessible changing facilities, a modern Café for visitors, extra staff offices and car park.
Grahame Pettit, managing director of Amiri Construction, said that he was pleased to be involved with the project: “Aldingbourne is an amazing place already. It’s great that the site is on adjacent land so the construction won’t interfere with the day to day operation of the trust and its attractions for children. This will be proudly added to our growing project list of significant charity new-build projects.”
The charity is now appealing to generate additional funds to increase the support that they provide to people with learning disabilities across Sussex.
“We provide real skills, care and jobs in a very 21st century way. Strong partnerships between social enterprise and charity fundraising helps to give adults with learning disabilities real choices and more independent lives. We are grateful to anyone who can help us,” said Livett.
