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A New Cattery for GSPCA

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey
Written by Roma Publications

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey

The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) has opened a brand new cattery at their Guernsey branch.

The project comes following an appeal by the charity for donations, due to the existing cattery being 35 years old. The works comprised of the demolition and rebuilding of the quarantine and cattery block: including alterations and construction of retaining walls, whilst maintaining access to the remainder of the GSPCA facility.

Works began on 20th October 2014 and completed on 31st July this year. The development of the new cattery completed in several phases, the first being the pre-commencement stage. This entailed mobilisation and carrying out a thorough health and safety check, followed by finalising the program, gaining the materials required and obtaining the necessary licenses to conduct the initial enabling works.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey

Following this, demolition of the existing cattery for the GSPCA took place, before ground works were completed, including full site excavation, formation for the new retaining walls and the lower ground floor slab in preparation for the erection of the buildings steel frame.  This reduced dig saw a 5 meter difference to that of the previous level. Temporary works were applied to protect the integrity of the excavation stability to the neighbouring property.

The superstructure of the new building was designed as a structural steel frame with a pre-cast concrete beam and concrete block suspended ground floor. The vehicle ramp was designed as an in-situ concrete slab supported upon sleeper walls and steel frame. The external walls are predominantly rendered block work with steel mesh panels to cat run areas.

The main pitched roof consisted of Kingspan TR 26 insulation to falls, Alkorplan M single ply membrane system mechanically fixed using Ejot single ply membrane/insulation fasteners, Alkorplan Ridge abutment and drip flashings complete with 4 No. Renolit Alkordesign roof lights, installed by Advanced Roofing Services, with steel mesh to a larger quarantine delivery and cat run areas.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey

The final stage of the development comprised of installation of all internal fit outs and building services, including an under floor heating system, food preparation areas, a meet and greet reception area, cat intake areas and 47 individual cat pens over two levels.

Contracts Manager for the project, Roy Silva, said:

“My role in the works meant I was to report to the Managing Director, James Joseph and charged with overseeing this project from the start through to completion, ensuring that work was completed safely, on time, to a good quality finish and within its budget.  I was to be the first point of contact for members the Design Team, the client, Site Manager and sub-contractors.

“I had a motivated and enthusiastic team on site including Dave Apperley – Site Manager, Dave Whelan and Matthew Marsh and a supremely talented and experienced Quantity Surveyor, Neal Taylor. In addition to this I had a dedicated buying team at my disposal that, led by Chris Davies, were tantamount to precise material needs and exact delivery requirements.  Both these layers of staff made this project enjoyable and a great success.”

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey

The site was small and tricky to run due to its operational nature of a live animal shelter.

Roy added:

“It is small with very little scope to store materials and so it required good forward planning and coordination to have the materials delivered exactly when we needed them. We had to be very mindful that the site was not entirely ours and the fact that we were working in amongst the residing animals, general public, staff and visitors.”

The finished project comes with great reward. The GSPCA have a brand new cattery and are able to help a substantial amount of cats each year. Sponsorship donations to the £1.3million project mean that animals’ lives can be saved.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Guernsey

Roy said:

“For us at AC Mauger it was pleasing to be able to deliver this project for the GSPCA, given that they had worked so hard to raise the money in order to do so. Throughout the lifespan of the project the shelter manager continued to demonstrate to its investors the value for money and quality they had paid for.  Many visits, events and tours took place all with very pleasing feedback towards my team regarding the standard that was unfolding.”

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Roma Publications