This project has recently started on site, with the existing building stripped back to the shell and the initial groundworks in place for the new extension. The finished building will deliver a new medical centre facility, office space and pharmacy shell including associated works and car parking.

The existing site holds a fire station, attached to a library and adjacent to a public car park. The car park has a shared access route, has several other businesses and residents surrounding it, and will be in full use throughout the contract. The site is directly adjacent to a large river and has a small existing culvert along the site boundary. To the rear is a picturesque wedding venue.

Conamar’s scope of works includes refurbishing and extending the old fire station, complete with new roof, internal reconfiguration, external upgrades and M&E upgrade throughout. The three-storey steel framed extension will be steel framed with brick and timber cladding. The development is targeted to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating.

During the design development and planning stages, Conamar has had a great level of input to the project; together with the structural engineer and architect, we ratified the foundation design to develop a suspended piled raft slab, to accommodate both the high water table and ground conditions on site.

An additional problem to overcome on this site is the shared access road into site, which is shared with the general public. To safeguard all involved, our banksman will guide all vehicles in and out of the site.