Big Build

Visitors to Oatlands will notice that the contractors’ site offices have been established in the car park, which means that on-site parking is now significantly reduced. To keep congestion to a minimum, and as patient transport and delivery vehicles need constant access, we suggest that wherever possible visitors park over in Maple Road where there is no charge for on-street parking.

Over the last month we have seen tremendous progress by the contractors, Dunelm, in their enabling works. New offices, kitchen, laundry and utility rooms are under construction at the rear of the Oatlands site. Simultaneously the residential and office accommodation in 210, the linking office facility and the former staff house at 212 Anerley Road are all being vacated and cleared of furniture. As soon as all these preparations are completed the old buildings will be ready for demolition.

Our enabling works have seen good progress in clearing and demolishing the former staff house at 212 Anerley Road, next door to Oatlands. With this part of the project complete, the main building at 210 has now been vacated and is shortly scheduled for demolition. Visitors to Oatlands will now be able to enter the annexe via a newly-constructed ramp at the side of the site. Our new two storey timber-framed building at the rear of the grounds was completed at Easter and management, administration, kitchen and laundry staff have all settled happily into their new quarters.

Over the past month the magnificent original Victorian main building that previously housed residents and our kitchen, laundry and administration offices has been gradually coming down. Now that demolition works are complete the contractors, Dunelm, are clearing and preparing the site for the next phase of our construction project. Every effort is being made to keep disruption to residents to a minimum, and we meet with the contractors regularly for feedback on how the works are progressing. We also hold constructive discussions with them about upcoming plans that could impact on the life of the home and the wellbeing of our service users. Meanwhile it is very much in business in Units 1 and 2 and behind the scenes in the administration block. We have improved security for residents, visitors and staff by installing a video entry phone and CCTV.

Following completion of the foundations last month, construction of our new 61 bedded unit is advancing well and on schedule. Six months into the project, with three floors already in place and work on the top storey now in progress, the scale and scope of the building can be fully appreciated. Regular site meetings between Oatlands management and Dunelm’s project team continue to be invaluable, keeping all concerned informed of developments.

Over the past few months Oatlands managers have enjoyed accompanying the Dunelm team on regular walkthroughs of the new building and the progress we have seen recently has been particularly exciting. With the roof and internal walls now in place we can see the spacious room layouts, window panels, corridors, stairwells and lift shafts. The view from the top floor is quite spectacular in every direction, and the roof garden currently under construction is sure to be a big attraction.

Our construction project has reached a stage where we are eagerly anticipating the handover of our new facility from the contractors, Dunelm, which is scheduled for mid-March. The finishing programme of installing fixtures and fittings such as lighting, lifts, plumbing and electricals is well in hand, in preparation for internal decoration. Immediately following handover, a specially-commissioned team from Renray Healthcare will move in with their furniture and soft furnishings, to fit out all the new bedrooms and communal areas to a high standard of décor - we guarantee it will make a great impression!

As the scaffolding around the new construction is steadily taken down, every day we are able to admire more of our splendid new facility. The contractors are finishing off work to break through from Oatleigh to the two Oatlands units, linking them together and allowing full access between all the buildings. Handing over of the site is scheduled for mid-April and when this is complete it will be all systems go to install furniture, fixtures, floorcoverings and upholstery. Work will also be put in hand on our sensory garden in the central courtyard. Oatleigh’s official opening will be on Thursday 5th May 2011 at 3 p.m.