Member Article

Community Centre at heart of Holywell neighbourhood given an update

Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction and traineeship students from Coleg Cambria have worked together to update Holway Community Centre’s internal storage facilities and external landscape.

Ten traineeship learners from the college worked alongside Wynne staff for up to four hours a week over four weeks on the project through November and December.

The initiative is part of a wider campaign to provide community benefits following Wynne Construction’s work on the £7.1m Flintshire Early Years project, which will see 10 schools across the county expand their pre-school provisions.

As part of the joint project, the building’s two storage rooms were cleared and painted, with new doors fitted to internal cupboards to increase the amount of secure storage on site.

Paint from Mold-based Simon O’Neill Painters and Decorators was donated for use in the renovation to give the rooms a bright new look.

The centre’s grassed entrance area was also given a makeover, allowing for the laying of turf and low-level plants to help create an attractive visual element to the front of the building.

The work at the centre will support local groups who need to leave items of equipment in safe storage such as parent and toddler groups, youth groups, and the breakfast club.

Social value manager at Wynne Construction Alison Hourihane said: “One of our top priorities is developing the next phase of the industry through the Wynne Futures Foundation.

“Projects like the Holway Community Centre rejuvenation is a great way to help students develop their confidence and skills whilst also contributing towards the improvements to the centre.

“These initiatives also help bring tangible benefits to the communities that live alongside the significant builds we work on such as the Flintshire Early Years scheme, and we hope the residents of Holway enjoy the new facilities.”

Employability mentor and curriculum lead for foundation skills, Yale, and traineeships at Coleg Cambria Paul Blundell said: “Our traineeship learners have embraced the opportunity to enhance their employability skills by working alongside Wynne Construction.

“They have all worked hard on this community project and enjoyed the collaboration. “It’s been a fantastic experience that will prepare them for future placements and hopefully lead to a career in the sector.”

Members and staff from Flintshire County Council attended the site during a Covid-safe visit to speak to members of the Wynne and Coleg Cambria teams as well as examine the completion of the project.

Flintshire’s Cabinet Member for finance and social value, and local member for Holywell West, Councillor Paul Johnson, said: “The rejuvenation of the Holway Community Centre will help ensure it remains a focal point of the area for years to come as well as allowing for a new range of events and groups to take full advantage of the space.

“Projects such as this help reinforce the commitment to the area the council has, as well as illustrating how we work alongside businesses and educational organisations to bring positive benefits to the community.

“Wynne and the team from Coleg Cambria have done great work at the Centre and I know the new facilities are going to be embraced by the residents.”

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