News
Victorian Elegance Restored in Dorset
30th May 2007
The recent completion of the restoration and refurbishment of an 1895 grade II Listed building in Dorset promises to bring a new lease of life and culture to the town.
Situated in the heart of Boscombe in Bournemouth, lies a former Victorian theatre which, through the times, has developed and evolved its purpose to meet local demand. The recent restoration and refurbishment of the Opera House, by Oates Construction, has seen this historic building reverted back to its original function – a multi-purpose entertainment venue offering the elegance and grace it was once recognised for.
Oates Construction is a Dorset based construction and management company who initially refurbished the Opera House in 1993 for its relaunch as a nightclub. In October 2006, the dilapidated nightclub was returned to its owners, Solent Leisure, and Oates were appointed to refurbish the existing toilets, re-decorate and reopen the Opera House as a nightclub. After careful thought, John Butterworth, Solent Leisure Managing Director, decided to maximise the buildings full potential through it’s complete restoration and refurbishment. After extensive negotiations with the local authority, Oates prepared a detailed Listed Building and Building Regulations application.
Oates completely refurbished the Opera House which included the installing a sprinkler system to ensure that the beautiful building will be protected for generations to come. A major part of the project was restoration to the fabric of the building, including the much needed upgrade in the facilities, encompassing the toilets, function room and disabled access to the ground floor. Damaged and missing features were restored and the 2nd floor has been re-opened after being closed to the public for decades.
One of the prominent features of this new-look Opera House is the impressive LED lighting system, comprising 16million colour permutations. This blend of contemporary interior design, together with its retained original Victorian characteristics, has ensured that the Opera House has now become one of the most talked about and up and coming venues in the South. This venue can now be used for banquets, weddings, live music and theatrical productions. The renewal of such an important landmark is expected to bring social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits to the local area.
Ice Skate Along to Poole Park -
Oates Completes Revolutionary Local Redevelopment
30th May 2007
Dorset is often recognised for its idyllic countryside, but even its towns offer residents and visitors beautiful parks, which retain the countryside feel, coupled with cosmopolitan surroundings.
Poole Borough Council wanted to rejuvenate one of Poole’s most important public spaces, Poole Park. Being just one of two Victorian parks in the Borough of Poole, the park itself has Heritage status and therefore the redevelopment of the park had to be handled carefully and sympathetically to the environment. South Coast Caterers, who have the catering rights for the park, appointed Oates Construction, a Dorset based construction and management company, to undertake the design and build of the two projects.
In 2002, after extensive negotiations with the council’s Planning and Leisure Services departments, and with local environmental group ‘Friends of the Park’, an agreed proposal for the design and build project was submitted for approval.
Planning approval to build a new two storey restaurant and an ice rink was granted in June 2005 and the design and build of these projects commenced in September 2006. Oates commenced the build with the extension and refurbishment of the Swan Lake building. This building was opened with its innovative indoor ice skating rink and café in mid February 2007. This new attraction has added to the existing amenities the park has to offer, providing more family-orientated entertainment for the local area.
The redevelopment of Poole Park continued with the construction of the new two storey restaurant. This particular project has generated a great deal of media and local attention due to its sympathetic design to accommodate two existing oak trees on the site. The design of the Glass and Cedar structure, arcs around these trees and complements the unique lake side setting.
Since the redevelopment of Poole Park, the town has seen a great deal of interest and patronage in its new facilities, offering locals and visitors new recreation alternatives.