Wates Group begin work on community allotment plot
Aquatics Centre will host Commonwealth Games events.
The team behind building the Aquatics Centre in Smethwick, is lending a hand to a local community group.
The Wates Group is providing materials and labour to help develop the next phase of Dorothy Parkes Community Allotment plot in Smethwick.
Builders from The Wates Group have taken on the final few areas for development including ‘the big dig’ and scrape of land which will create a flat area for several new growing beds, a base for a new shed, a floor in the new seating area, and a new sensory seating area.
Paul Reynolds, project director for Sandwell Aquatics Centre, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Dorothy Parkes Centre and the amazing work they do within the local community.
"Delivering social value is one of the most important things we do as a contractor.
"While the Aquatics Centre will provide vital infrastructure and facilities, our commitment to working with local community groups will help to deliver a lasting legacy for the people of Sandwell and the wider borough.”
The centre has had the plot for three years and have slowly utilised funding to transform the plot from an overgrown, underused, vacant plot, into an accessible and safe haven with a community classroom, polytunnel, greenhouse, performance area, and variety of growing beds.
Work was originally due to commence last year, however it was delayed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Work finally commenced on April 12 as coronavirus restrictions eased.
Karen Palmer, community allotment project coordinator, said: "It’s amazing. We’ve waited so long for the main growing area to be cleared and now, wow!
"A great big ‘thank you’ goes to the Wates Group and their team who have worked really hard to help us move forward with the community allotment project.”
The Dorothy Parkes Centre, on Church Road in Smethwick, is a community centre which helps to address local challenges, such as health inequality, isolation and unemployment, as well as hosting a range of activities.
It's allotment project is supported by a small team of volunteers, who are continuously welcoming new volunteers to join the team.
For more information on how to get involved contact the Centre on 0121 558 2998 or email allotment@dorothyparkes.org
