/ Case Study

St Michael’s Community Centre, Ipswich

My Client JIMAS are based in Ipswich, Suffolk and is a fully voluntarily supported UK Muslim Educational Charity which engages with people from any background, whatever their beliefs

St Michael’s Church and Hall was built in 1880, with the Chancel added in 1890. It consisted of a nave, aisles with chancel, a bellcote at the western entrance and large arched stained glass windows in the eastern gable end. The Church and Hall was designated as a Grade II listed building in 1988.  The Church was closed and deconsecrated in the late 1990’s, after which it was sold for development into a restaurant and flats in 2005.

JIMAS purchased St Michael’s Church and Hall in September 2010 through donations and savings with the intention of converting the site into a community facility.

Unfortunately, in March 2011, the Church and Hall were extensively damaged by fire following an arson attack on the building. Sadly, the building was uninsured and the charity had to start from the beginning again.

I was appointed as Project Manager for the restoration of the Church Hall in 2013, it was an incredibly complicated project, with very little funding. However, we had a fantastic team from the Client to the Volunteers and Consultants which enabled it to be delivered on time and to budget.

The construction project consisted of clearance of the debris and rubble from the Church Hall from the fire, installation of a new roof including the restoration of the lantern ceiling, plumbing, lighting, heating, a kitchen and toilet, renovation of the windows and doors, security alarm and PV panels.

Services Provided

  • To keep the costs down, I organised volunteer days to enable the debris from the fire to be removed from site, including all Health & Safety requirements. I also arranged for donations of hard hats and safety glasses from Jackson Construction and discounted rates on skips from Ipswich Borough Council.
  • Organised new power and water supply, including future proofing for when the Church is restored. I also organised the installation of site hoarding to prevent unwanted access and protect the site from further damage.
  • Produced Project Action Plans to track the project and detail the work required and when it need to be completed. I produced timelines and budget cost estimates for each phase.
  • Organised various surveys including: Building and Topographical survey, asbestos survey and its removal, structural surveys for both the Hall and Church.
  • Organised urgent structural repair to the Church East elevation window.
  • Produced Business Case and Project Plans for various grant applications.
  • Helped to organise fund raising events and open days to publicise the project.
  • Liaised with The Church of England regarding covenants on the future use of the Church and kept them informed as the project progressed.
  • Secured donations for the project and negotiated with suppliers to obtain discounted materials and services.
  • Preparation of Consultants scope of services for: Architect, Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Quantity Surveyors, and CDM advisors, PV panel installers.
  • Reviewed Consultants tenders to ensure full scope of services was covered, negotiated their fees and appointed them on behalf of the JIMAS.
  • Acted as the main contact between the JIMAS and the appointed consultants for all the building works. I managed the consultant team to ensure that all design work was coordinated and completed to required timescales, for all the project phases from grant application through planning application to tender and completion of construction on site.
  • Organised, chaired and recorded actions from meetings for both design team, the Local Authority, Council representatives and internal meetings in relation to the building works and followed up to ensure actions were completed to the required standards.  I ensured that all parties were briefed on the project’s progress.
  • Liaised with Ipswich Borough Council conservation officer to ensure that the works were carried out as approved by the Listed Building Consent, ensuring this beautiful building is protected for future generations to enjoy.
  • The access to the site is very constrained, I negotiated with Ipswich Borough Council for the use of their car park as a construction compound during the works and with adjacent landowners for permission to install scaffolding on their land for the roof repair works.
  • Negotiated the lease of a small area of land adjacent to the site to be used for a garden area with Ipswich Borough Council.
  • Reviewed the use of rented premises and organised and co-ordinated the move from these premises freeing up funds for use in the delivery of the project.
  • Submitted the planning application & listed building consent for the installation of PV panels on the roof of the Hall.
  • Managed on behalf of JIMAS the construction tender process including: Selection of Contractors for Tender, Assistance with and review of tender packs, Tender issue, Review of returned Tenders, Negotiation with Construction Contractors, Appointment of Construction Contractor on behalf of JIMAS.
  • Presented the project to Suffolk New College students and organised for them to carry out woodwork and painting and decorating projects at the Hall. I also facilitated a garden project with The Princes Trust.
  • Management of construction works on site to ensure they were progressing to contract price and programme, including: weekly site visits to check progress, authorised additional works and negotiated variations to the contract.

This was a wonderful project to be involved in and I would love at some point to be able to carry on and restore the Church in the future.

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