A brand new water-tight roof was formally opened at Burnham-On-Sea’s BAY Centre on Monday (August 5th).
Thanks to a joint £25,000 grant from Sedgemoor District Council and Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, the centre’s old leaky roof has been refurbished and is now in tip-top condition.
It passed its first test when heavy rain fell just after the opening ceremony, which was attended by Cllr Chris Williams, Mayor Martin Cox, Jim Doreen and Warren Frape (BAY Centre maintenance team), BAY centre Chair Julia Elswood, BAY Centre Booking Clerk Ian Jefferies and the Chair of SDC, Cllr Peter Downing.
Sedgemoor District Council granted £10,000 towards the upgrade while the Town Council gave £15,000.
“The grant has been used to refurbish and upgrade the main roof of the centre, which had been leaking for a couple of years,” said a spokesman.
“Whilst various repairs have been done by the volunteer maintenance team over the years, a complete refurbishment was needed.”
“To improve insulation, an environmentally-friendly, fleece-backed rubber-bonded material was used. The upgraded insulation will make the building much warmer for the many users. It will also reduce heating costs and will help maintenance budgets.”
The BAY (Burnham Area Youth) Centre in Cassis Close was built in 1966 and its roof had suffered regular leaks during heavy rain.
The centre provides a venue for a wide range of user groups as well as a centre for young people.
Groups include adults with learning disabilities, stroke club, camera club, friendship and companionship group and carers support group amongst many others.
Pictured: Cllr Chris Williams, Mayor Martin Cox, Jim Doreen and Warren Frape (BAY Centre maintenance team), BAY centre Chair Julia Elswood, BAY Centre Booking Clerk Ian Jefferies and the Chair of SDC, Cllr Peter Downing. Photo: Mike Lang – BAY Centre Vice Chair
