Pictured: Mark Watkins
St. Modwen and Goold Estates have announced that construction
will commence later this month on 'Goldmine' at Lower Hall Lane,
Walsall.
Part of St. Modwen and Goold Estates' joint venture £90
million St Matthew's Quarter regeneration scheme in the centre of
Walsall, Goldmine is a 20,000sq ft purpose built property being
delivered for local Community Development Trust, The Vine Trust.
The £2.5 million building will include training rooms, a
library, offices and multipurpose space for public performances. It
will be utilised by the Trust to provide training, learning, advice
and guidance to young people in the local area.
Having outgrown its currently property on the corner of Lower
Hall Lane and Caldmore Road, The Vine Trust sourced partners in the
public, private and third / civil sector to help finance its new
property. These included Community Builders England Ltd, Walsall
MBC, The Tudor Trust, Walsall Community Church, Garfield Weston and
Walsall Housing Group.
Having appointed St. Modwen and Goold Estates to create it new
facilities within St. Matthew's Quarter, delivery of The Vine
Trust's new property was delayed in 2007 following the devastating
fire and subsequent demolition of its intended location within the
historic Shannons Mill.
Undeterred, St. Modwen and Goold Estates have driven forward
with revised plans to deliver contemporary new premises for The
Vine Trust within St. Matthew's Quarter, appointing contractor
Bespoke Construction to commence build onsite later this month.
Mark Watkins, development surveyor for St. Modwen commented: "We
are delighted that construction will commence this month on
Goldmine. We have worked closely with The Vine Trust over the past
few years to provide a solution to its accommodation requirements
and are thrilled that Goldmine will now be the first property to be
completed at phase two of St. Matthew's Quarter. The services which
The Vine Trust provides make a huge difference to the lives of
young people in the local area and we are proud to be associated
with it."
Dominic Goold of Goold Estates added: "It is great that the
Shannons Mill site is being brought back into use. It is down
to The Vine Trust that this will be delivered, they have worked
incredibly hard to raise the funding for the building in difficult
economic times and The Goldmine building will provide a much needed
resource in Walsall town centre."
Kevin Davis, Chief Executive of The Vine Trust said: "'The
Goldmine centre has provided an opportunity to show how partners,
in the true spirit of the 'Big Society', can pull together in
challenging times to realise something they are committed too, but
more importantly, young people through Goldmine, and the wider
'Youth Quarter will realise their aspirations.
"This 'state of the art' centre has been inspired by young
people for young people. Alongside social and recreational
activities, it will offer work-based learning, ICT opportunities,
arts, drama, music and creative media activities and a new
vocational 'Studio School.''
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council Deputy Leader and
cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is brilliant news and
further evidence of investment in Walsall town centre that will
create new jobs and opportunity.
"It's extra pleasing that we've had a direct role as a council
in making this happen and now we look forward to Walsall people
taking advantage of the new building as well as employment
opportunities the construction will offer."
Walsall Council and Walsall Partnership works closely with The
Vine Trust to deliver a series of community schemes including an
access to apprenticeship project with Walsall College and a future
jobs fund scheme to create jobs for young people which is also
funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The construction of Goldmine is expected to be completed in
summer 2012.
An open day to showcase the scheme is set to be staged by The
Vine Trust at the Vines Restaurant, Lower Hall Lane, Walsall from
1pm to 6pm on Thursday September 22.