Member Article

Wates gives Liverpool Chinese arts centre a makeover

The gardens of a Chinese community centre in Liverpool have been given a much-needed face-lift thanks to a team of volunteers from Wates Construction.

The green-fingered builders took time out from construction work in the city to tidy up the grounds of the volunteer-run Pagoda Arts Centre.

As part of the work, Wates employees donated manpower and materials to trim overgrown lawns and hedges and plant shrubs. The team also created an area in which a commemorative tree is to be planted in memory of one of the centre’s founders, Mr Li.

Located at Henry Street, the Pagoda Arts Centre is a hub for the Chinese community in Liverpool and offers translation services, dance classes and Tai Chi. It is also the home to the Pagoda Chinese Orchestra and Youth Orchestra.

Employees from Wates’ Liverpool office also spent time touching up the interior decoration of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services’ Toxteth Fire Fit, which the contractor completed in 2013.

The projects formed part of Wates’ annual Community Day, which sees 2,000 employees nationwide donate a day of their time to make a tangible difference to the communities in which they are working. This year, local projects across the UK received over 8,000 hours of Wates’ time.

Tony Shenton, Business Unit Director for Wates Construction North West, commented: “We are always keen to leave a lasting legacy and help good causes in the communities in which we build. Our Community Day offers the perfect opportunity to do so.

“The Pagoda Arts Centre is a highly regarded community hub where volunteers work together for the good of local people and we very much hope that our time spent will help the centre continue to thrive.”

Mrs Li, co-founder of the Pagoda Arts Centre, added: “My heartfelt thanks to the Wates team for transforming the garden of our community centre. We have needed this work carrying out for over two years but have struggled to secure the funds or volunteers. Both children and parents have been commenting on how clean and bright the building now appears in its new surroundings.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Wates .