Gym goers are able to enjoy enhanced kit and a bigger area to keep fit after Active Blackpool’s Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre at Bispham underwent a major facelift carried out by leading Blackpool construction company Evolution.

Ben Reader, Evolution Contracts Manager, who led the project, said: “We are all really proud of the work we have done at Moor Park Leisure Centre. It’s been a complete refurbishment and we are really impressed with the way it looks.”

Work at the Bristol Avenue centre involved stripping out the existing gym, breaking into other parts of the building to extend the area for final fit out, and creating two new consultation rooms in the centre’s Active Wellbeing Suite.

The refurbishment of the centre began on June 1 and has been completed two weeks ahead of the planned 12-week schedule.

Ben said: “It was a real team effort – with our bricklayers, joiners, plumbers, electricians and floorers all involved. We have had about 36 people working on the project and I have been really impressed with everyone involved.”

During the work, a temporary gym was set up in the Sports Hall and a temporary Active Wellbeing Suite located in the centre’s meeting room.

Now the work has been completed six new pieces of EGYM kit and nine new pieces of Matrix kit, plus replacements for some of the centre’s older kit, have been installed so gym goers can enjoy even better strength and cardio workouts.

Cllr Matthew Thomas, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for Communities and Wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted to see Moor Park’s gym back open. Staying active is vital and I am proud that Blackpool has spaces like this for residents to feel inspired to get active and stay active. To have a space filled with the best equipment and skilled, knowledgeable staff who understand the challenges people may face when walking through those doors is something we should all be proud of.”

Martin Cardwell, Active Blackpool’s Operations Manager, said: “The gym at Moor Park is Active Blackpool’s busiest gym, and we recognised the need to improve the experience for all our members at this facility.

“Working within the building’s existing footprint, we identified that by incorporating corridor and storage space into the gym and reconfiguring it, we can provide a bigger and better environment for members to work out in.

“The work to create two new consultation rooms in the Active Wellbeing Suite provides much needed space for the Exercise Referral team to meet privately with members.”

Blackpool Council Service Manager Property and Capital Works, Martin Turley, said: “The Property Team have designed a fantastic refurbishment with the aim of modernising the gym and creating a more welcoming and enjoyable environment for everyone who uses it. The end result really speaks for itself. We’re delighted with the transformation and the difference it makes to the space.”

The post Gym goers’ autumn fitness boost as Blackpool leisure centre’s £250,000 facelift unveiled appeared first on Evolution Ltd.

The Wedding Chapel, which has hosted more than 6,000 weddings since it first opened almost 15 years ago, is shining bright again on Blackpool promenade opposite the resort’s world-famous Tower after an impressive refurbishment.

Blackpool building company Evolution carried out work on the roof of the Wedding Chapel, known for its stand-out architectural design.

Ben Reader, Evolution’s Contracts Manager who led the work, said: “The Wedding Chapel has a really striking design with an overhanging cantilevered balcony. None of our team had worked on anything like it before. It was a really interesting project to be involved in.”

Evolution’s team, including two apprentices and site manager Leon Iddon, carried out the work before new steelwork was added, the reroofing completed, and new glazing inserted.

Ben said: “Once the glass was all in, we returned to site to install all the composite decking. So we were the first team on site and the last team off it. It was very satisfying to have been there at the beginning and be back there to complete it.”

The 629m² building, which features a restaurant as well as the wedding venue, is an architectural landmark, designed by dRMM and gaining a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award in 2012. 

The Wedding Chapel, which is part of Festival House, is set to celebrate its 15^th anniversary of its opening in December.

It was on January 12, 2012, that the first couple exchanged their vows at the chapel. Since then more than 6,000 couples have married at the iconic venue, including approximately 400 couples last year and more than 250 so far this year.

Couples come from all over the UK, from up in Scotland and down in Devon, and even worldwide, to get married at the famous chapel.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, added: “Festival House is part of our growing offer for couples who want to get married here, either as locals or because Blackpool holds a special place in their hearts. We’re continually investing in the building so that hundreds more couples can get married here in the future.

“As we complete maintenance contracts, we are always keen to make sure that Blackpool businesses, employing Blackpool people, are given the chance to do the work, boosting our economy and giving local people quality work and apprenticeships, knowing that they will work that little bit harder on making their hometown better.”

Anyone interested in getting married at Blackpool’s Wedding Chapel is asked to get in touch at ceremonies@blackpool.gov.uk

Find out more about the Wedding Chapel here: Your Wedding

The post Unique UK wedding venue gets honeymoon treatment appeared first on Evolution Ltd.

Warren Kashem always dreamed of becoming an electrician. But his chances of realising his ambitions looked to have hit a wall when his autism meant he struggled to attend mainstream school.

Warren was referred to the Athena School in Blackpool, run by Educational Diversity, an alternative provision for students who find conventional education settings challenging. 

He got his big break in Year 10 when bosses at Blackpool business Evolution saw a spark in him and offered him work experience in its electrical division.

Warren performed so well that he was offered an electrical apprenticeship, and on Friday (June 12), was invited to speak to business, education and government leaders.

The Aspiring Pathways programme, delivered by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) – the national body for careers education – is backed by £8.5 million of Department for Education funding to deliver access to high-quality work experience for young people in Alternative Provision (AP).

At Friday’s launch of the programme held at Educational Diversity in Blackpool, Warren featured in a panel discussion on how young people in alternative provision can overcome barriers to taking part in meaningful work experience.

In Year 10, Warren started his one-day-a-week work experience with Evolution, upping to two days the following year. His renewed focus and enthusiasm for the world of work led to improved school attendance.

The inclusive and supportive work environment at Evolution helped bring Warren out of his shell, allowing his true personality to shine through.

He impressed the company’s senior leadership team so much that he was awarded a four-year electrical apprenticeship and is now studying at Blackpool and The Fylde College, while working at Evolution.

Evolution’s Managing Director JJ Fitzgerald said: “Warren has faced big challenges in his life and he has shown great courage and determination to overcome them. We’re so glad and so proud to see him blossom and thrive in this way.

“We hope his story and his experiences can inspire others about what it’s possible to achieve, and that work experience really can be that step towards a brighter future.

“We are committed to giving young people a good start in life, nurturing their talents and inspiring them to hopefully have long and successful careers in the construction industry.”

Warren said his work experience at Evolution made a big impact on him.

“It was good to get out of school and see first-hand how the world of employment worked,” he said.

“I really admire Evolution’s professionalism, their quality of work and how welcoming they are as a team. I’m excited to continue working at the company and eventually become a qualified electrician.”

Alan Milburn’s recently published report, Young People and Work, identifies work experience as vital for building confidence, skills and access to employment. It highlights that young people in the highest need areas are the least likely to access these opportunities, with many NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people reporting no work experience at all. Barriers include limited employer availability, school capacity, transport, SEND/additional needs, and safeguarding requirements.

Research shows that two in five young people in AP do not progress to a positive destination after Year 11, compared with fewer than one in ten in mainstream education.

The programme launch highlighted the positive impact of work experience on young people’s skills, confidence and sense of belonging in the workplace and emphasised the role employers play in supporting young people and creating meaningful opportunities.

Speaking at the launch event were John Yarham, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company; Mo Isap OBE, Board member, The Careers & Enterprise Company, and CEO, IN4 Group; and Baasit Siddiqui, Educator and Speaker, Director, Siddiqui Education.

The post Wannabe Evolution sparky Warren inspires youngsters with his success appeared first on Evolution Ltd.