POCHIN TOPS OUT AT WAG'S NEW OFFICE AT LLANDUDNO JUNCTION
08 October 2009
Pochin Construction Ltd, First Minister Rhodri Morgan and a cast of dignitaries gathered at the new Welsh Assembly Government office in Llandudno Junction as part of the Topping Out ceremony.
The event, which marks the end of the main phase of construction, saw the final part of the roof membrane put in place and the scheme subsequently made watertight. Construction of the new Llandudno Junction office is due to be completed in Spring 2010, with staff beginning to move in over the summer. It will be the Welsh Assembly Government's largest office outside Cardiff, and will be able to accommodate up to 650 staff.
On the ceremony, Jonathan Pochin, managing director of Pochin Construction commented: "This ceremony commemorates the tremendous amount of work that has been undertaken to date. The striking design and prominent location of this scheme meant it was always destined to be an impressive landmark. However, to be involved in seeing the build come to fruition has been a real career high and one that all of my team have been proud to have played a part in.
"On site, construction work is progressing well and is currently on programme. We are starting to install some of the sustainable technology within the building including the biomass boiler and the passive ventilation, both of which are fundamental to achieving the Assembly's requirement for a reduced carbon footprint from the building and a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating
"The collaborative approach being adopted between the entire team is proving to be extremely effective, particularly learning from the Assembly's experiences and lessons learnt on the recently completed project at Aberystwyth.
"I am confident that the good progress achieved to date will be maintained and that the completed building will be handed over to the Assembly in the Spring 2010."
The First Minister said: "Today's ceremony marks a major step in the construction of the building, which is progressing well and remains on time and on budget. This is a significant development bringing the Welsh Assembly Government closer to the people of Wales. We have already opened an office in the heart of the Valleys in Merthyr Tydfil, the new Aberystwyth office will officially open next week and the office here in Llandudno Junction will provide a real link between the Assembly Government and the people of North Wales."
The contract to build the office was awarded to Pochin construction in October 2008 and is valued at around £20m. Local suppliers and materials are used being whenever possible and so far over £8.5m of the construction spend has been committed locally.