Global building materials manufacturer, Baumit UK, has donated materials for the building of a stunning new Girlguiding centre.
The Birk Crag Training, Activity and Residential Centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire will provide a modern, multipurpose and environmentally-friendly base for a host of groups including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Owned by Girlguiding North Yorkshire West, a £1.5 million fundraising campaign was set-up to support the project, which is due for completion later this year.
As well as receiving financial help, the training centre’s construction has been boosted by local companies supplying vital building materials free of charge to assist the building programme. Façade render and external wall insulation (EWI) specialists, Baumit, which has a branch in Doncaster, has donated its render products to the project. Baumit’s UniRend machine render system was applied to the centre’s exterior walls by Baumit client, RamEco.
For interior walls, Baumit SX Airless spray plaster will be applied. The Baumit UniRend system, comprising lightweight lime-cement render base coat (Baumit KZP 65), was installed to a 10mm thickness to the external walls of the centre. Ideal for new and old buildings alike, the solution’s high lime content allows it to facilitate building movement without causing cracks. Additionally, Baumit StarTex fine reinforcing mesh was installed in 300mm strips to board edges around windows. Baumit’s SilikonTop provided the wall’s smooth 1.5mm grain finish. The ready-to-use wet topcoat render is highly water repellent and permeable, making it the ideal protective surface for exposed or high traffic areas susceptible to weather or harsh conditions.
Baumits SilikonTop also provided the weather-resilient topcoat render for a ‘feature wall’ within the centre. It was followed by an application of Baumit StarContact White, a mineral-based, dry adhesive, thin-coat render, which is also suitable as a bonding mortar onto concrete. Baumit gold-coloured, metallic-finish façade paint provided the wall’s innovative, standout final layer.
Rob Ramella, Director at RamEco, said:
“Baumit’s UniRend system was absolutely ideal for this project. It’s pliable, applicator-friendly and has a higher lime content than other similar solutions. This leads to a better long-term performance, as it is less prone to cracking.”
The new centre replaces a previous Girlguiding facility, which was built in the 1950s before its recent demolition due to it being deemed no longer fit for purpose. With the inclusion of improved kitchen facilities, 12 bedrooms for overnight stays and conference rooms, the new, two-storey building will allow more space to stage activities. Girlguiding North Yorkshire West caters for more than 2,700 girls and volunteers in the region. Although near to completion, the group said funds were still needed for the centre’s final fitting out.
Chris Kendall, Senior Field Engineer at Baumit, said the company were only too happy to donate its materials to the development.
“This is a fantastic project designed for a positive purpose, as it enables young people to learn and enjoy a sense of adventure in a safe environment. It’s very gratifying to be able to contribute in some way to the building of this wonderful centre.”
Chris, who is also a tutor at Baumit’s on-site render and EWI training academy in Doncaster, said he urged other companies in the area to help ‘in any way they can’ with the centre’s completion. He said,
“It has such an important role to play in the social and educational development of youngsters in the region. I look forward to seeing the building when finished and the good use that it’s put to.”