A popular leisure and sports facility in the South Lakes town of Kendal has been transformed into a fully functioning regional NHS recovery centre – thanks to the quick action of Cumbria-based housebuilder Russell Armer Homes.
Russell Armer responded to an urgent call-to-action from the NHS and South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) involving the rapid construction of a 62-bay hospital-style recovery ward, as part of the national drive by government to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Construction Director Andrew Taylor and Senior Construction Manager Ian Hunt assessed the site before assembling a team of skilled professionals to start work on the project, including joiners from Russell Armer’s own pool and from specialist contractor Timber Frame North West Ltd, as well as painters from Hodgson’s Decorators in Kendal. NHS-appointed electricians from D G Bushell Ltd, Grange-Over-Sands, carried out the wiring of the bays.
BAe Systems in Barrow, in partnership with Leck Construction, supplied the timber and prefabricated panels that required on-site assembly, fixing and finishing.
Work started on site at 9am on the morning of Wednesday 8 April. By 11.30am the following day, all the bays were constructed, and half were painted. The decorating and electrics were done and dusted by Saturday morning – a remarkable achievement accomplished over three-and-a-half days and a measure of just how committed the team was to completing this vital project of regional importance.
Martyn Nicholson, Managing Director at Russell Armer Homes says: “This was a great opportunity for us to contribute in a meaningful way to the community – and to honour the NHS, whose workers are making us all so proud during the current crisis. We’d like to thank everyone who rose to the challenge with us and helped achieve an amazing result in the narrowest of timeframes. It feels odd saying this when we’ve invested so much energy into it – but, proud as we are of the new recovery centre, we sincerely hope it won’t need to be deployed!”
