Consett scouts have an ACE in the pack with Absolute Civil Engineering – Absolute Civil Engineering has linked with the 1st Consett and 1st Blackhill scout groups on a major £315,000 project, a new centre for the organisations in Consett.
The condemned wooden scout hut in Constance Street, provided by the steelworks about 60 years ago, has been dismantled to make way for new purpose built amenities at the same site.
The new building will provide spectacular new headquarters for the two scout groups who have a combined membership of over 150 young people.
Absolute Civil Engineering, set up in 2008 and employing 20 people, will provide expert assistance at all stages of the project.
Operations Director Paddy Lynch commented: “We are thrilled to be associated this important development, not only for the Consett and Blackhill scout groups but also the wider Consett community.
“The project has been a real team effort and as a company we feel it is important to do what we can to support the local community,” he said.
The new scout HQ has been designed by Doug Glass of Milbank Architects, also based in Consett in the town’s Innovation Centre on Genesis Way.
Work on the new scout facility will start later this year.
1st Blackhill scout group chairman, Mark Swinney, added: “Having a new base will be great news for scouting in the Consett, Blackhill and surrounding areas. The first phase will see a new building completed and watertight after which we will be working hard on fund raising initiatives to kit it out.”.
Local councillors Owen Temple and Clive Robson have helped to keep first phase funding momentum going by each awarding £30,000 from their Durham County Council members’ Neighbourhood Budget towards the new facilities.