Following agreement on a revised programme with Cumberland Council, work to replace the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels in The Sands Centre auditorium roof is now well underway after restarting in September.
Cumberland Council’s project team has worked closely with Cubby Group management to develop a safe and practical plan for work to resume.
The delay stemmed from the severe damage caused by Storm Éowyn, that took place earlier this year, and the need for comprehensive reassessments of the temporary roof canopy to ensure the structure’s long-term safety and resilience.
Kirk Taylor, Managing Director of Cubby Construction, said: “Our priority has been to work collaboratively with Cumberland Council, and GLL, alongside using our own Cubby Group subsidiary, Laidlaw Scaffolding and canopy design teams to ensure works at the Sands Centre continue to progress safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.
“Following the exceptional wind conditions and damage caused by Storm Éowyn, Cubby Construction carried out comprehensive reviews within which additional safety margin factors were considered and introduced to ensure the strength and resilience of the temporary roof structure would be able to withstand a storm event with higher wind speeds than that of storm Eowyn.
“We are proud to support the Council and our partners in re-establishing momentum on this key community project and remain committed to delivering a safe, durable, and high-quality outcome.”
Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said: “The Sands Centre repairs have been hit by a series of issues that were out of our control including the impact of Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
“This has caused a number of challenges, but work has now restarted, and we look forward to seeing the works completed. We understand the frustration and disappointment for ticket holders, but GLL is working with their promoters to reschedule dates, so please keep an eye out for emails with the revised dates.”
In addition to the removal and replacement of the RAAC panels, the council is also undertaking some additional internal improvements to the auditorium including a full replacement of the customer seating and upgrades to the back of house facilities.
As part of the roof replacement, several associated works will also be carried out including upgrading the ventilation system, enhancing the lighting system and upgrading the fire alarm system. Additionally, the roof access will be improved to facilitate future maintenance of the equipment located on the roof.
