Member Article

Mid Wales projects secure two awards for constructor

A new school and a new community and visitor centre in Mid Wales have secured two construction awards for the construction firm behind them.

Pave Aways won Building Project of the Year for Hafan Yr Afon in Newtown at the Constructing Excellence Wales awards. It was also part of the project team that picked up the Value Award at the Cardiff ceremony on June 16th for the Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School that it built for Powys County Council.

Hafan Yr Afon is a two-storey low energy community venue run by Open Newtown that was built on the site of the former Radio Hafren station. It includes meeting rooms, a café, tourist information and a base for outdoor activities.

The Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School was the first ever Passivhaus school to be built for Powys County Council. Pave Aways worked with architects Architype on both of the award-winning projects.

Managing director Steven Owen said: “To win Building Project of the Year for the whole of Wales is an incredible achievement and testament to the work done by the entire project team to deliver a high quality facilty that is providing a valuable resource in Mid Wales.

“Welshpool Church in Wales school was the first ever Passivhaus building Pave Aways had ever built so winning the value award was incredibly satisfying. I’m really proud of our team and our partners for putting Mid Wales in the spotlight with these awards wins.”

Stuart Owen, Chief Executive for Open Newtown added: “We’re immensely proud that Hafan Yr Afon was nominated by Pave Aways for Building of the Year.

“As a social enterprise managing 130 acres of park land, our ethos is built around sustainability, green infrastructure, improving biodiversity, creating partnerships and encouraging investment in the community.

“For our community and visitor centre to win such an award, this is by far one of our proudest achievements to date. We’d like to welcome everyone to visit Mid Wales to experience this wonderful development, set alongside the River Severn and our open green spaces.”

Stuart added: “And we must take this opportunity to thank National Lottery Community Fund Wales, Welsh Government, Powys County Council, Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and the people of Newtown for their unwavering support.”

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