Topping Out Ceremony Held for New Boscawen Park Sports Hub

A key moment in the construction of the new Community Sports Hub at Boscawen Park was marked last week as the final section of the roof was added to the building. The ceremony came just three months after the first turf was cut.

Ceremony Marks Major Step Forward

Truro Mayor Chris Wells and Town Deal Chairman Alan Stanhope joined the event, taking part in a traditional topping out ceremony. Chris and Fox Construction Solutions Director Kevin Bate placed a St Piran’s flag on the gable of the new building.

Representatives from Truro City Council, the Boscawen Park Sports Hub project team, Fox Construction Solutions and Ward Williams Associates were also present.

“It is fantastic to see the last section of roofing added to the building,” said Chris. “Boscawen Park has always been a much loved and much used facility for the city. Our 10 year plan for the site involved replacing the old tired changing rooms and providing a new and improved community space with high-quality sports and leisure facilities and we are well on our way to delivering this. The Sports Hub is going to be a great resource for the city and I can’t wait to see people using the new facilities next year.”

Alan added, “As Chair of the Town Deal Board I am delighted to see the progress which has been made with this project. This is a really important investment in the future of Truro and I know how much the local community are looking forward to seeing the project finished so they can use their new community building.”

What the £5.2m Project Will Deliver

Led by Truro City Council and funded by Truro Town Deal with support from Cornwall Council, the £5.2 million scheme will create new indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities at Boscawen Park.

The timber frame building will offer flexible spaces suitable for indoor sport, conferences, community events, workshops, training, and arts and crafts groups.

The wider Town Deal improvements also include:

• An extended and improved pétanque pitch

• Resurfacing of the riverside walk

• New fencing on the riverside side of the park

Progress On Site

Fox Construction Solutions say the work remains on schedule for completion next summer.

“This has been a fantastic project to be involved with,” said Site Manager Simon McMahon. “There have been up to 60 people working on the site over the past three months and, despite having to manage some truly awful weather, the roof is now on.”

Simon explained that roof coverings and window installation will take place over the next two weeks, making the building waterproof before Christmas. External cladding and internal finishes will begin in the New Year.

One of Simon’s early jobs was commissioning an underground survey to check for unexploded bombs due to the site’s World War II history. “This is not something we normally need to do before starting construction, but Boscawen Park housed a large, tented camp of American soldiers during World War II,” he said. “These included the 531st Engineer Shore Regiment who were responsible for constructing and storing concrete barges filled with high explosives and ammunition in preparation for the D-Day landings. Given the history of the site we wanted to make absolutely sure than none of the material was still buried underground and, luckily, nothing was found.”

A Proudly Cornish Build

Fox Construction Solutions say local firms are heavily involved. Kevin explained that:

• Groundworks were carried out by Morcom Construction from St Austell

• Scaffolding came from LTC Specialist Scaffolding from Carharrack

• The timber frame was supplied by Redruth based Frame Homes UK

• Roof coverings came from Westward Roofing Services from St Austell

• Cladding was supplied by Bond Timber from Saltash

• Windows and doors are from CAW at Threemilestone Industrial Estate

• Dry lining will be carried out by CV Fire and Partitions from St Columb Major

• Carpentry has been completed by C Johnson Carpentry and Joinery, also from St Columb Major

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing works are being handled by Wave Services

“It really is a truly Cornish project,” Kevin said.

What Happens Next

The next major stage comes in February, when all scaffolding inside and outside the building will be removed. Work will then move fully to the interior, with completion and handover to Truro City Council expected in July.

Simon said he will miss the project once it’s finished. “Not only is this a really interesting project, it is a lovely place to work. You have got the boats coming in, the green spaces and even the squirrels running around in the trees. There are definitely worse places to be.”

Town Deal Background

Truro Town Deal Board, working with Cornwall Council, secured £23.6 million for projects aimed at rejuvenating the city and boosting the local economy. Cornwall Council is the lead authority for Cornwall Town Deals and supports the Town Deal Board while administering the fund.