Environmental Sports Hall Leads the Way

St Brendan’s Sixth Catholic Form College in Brislington, Bristol held a topping out ceremony to celebrate their new state of the art sports hall being a step nearer completion.

The building is due to be finished in May 2008 and building contractors Leadbitter have just completed the erection of the steel framework. To celebrate the college held a traditional topping out ceremony with a number of invited guests.

St Brendan’s Principal Derek Bodey was joined by Managing Director of Leadbitter Rob Bradley, Bill Button from NVB Architects, Chair of Governors Geoff Barrett, Jake Lamb Vice President of the student union and representatives from the rugby and girls football teams.

Importantly with this build, St Brendan’s – one of the Sound of Many Waters founding supporters – is staying true to the Sound of Many Waters spirit the college signed up for back in October. They are continuing to be environmentally conscientious. This is highlighted in particular by the design of the new sports hall. The building will utilise the earth’s natural resources such as sunlight and rainwater. Also incorporated in to the design is an intelligent system to minimise carbon emissions. The installation of such state of the art equipment ensures that this new facility will meet the needs of students well into the future. Principal Derek Bodey has said, “Here at St Brendan’s we are always trying to think of environmental issues, and this was a major factor when deciding on the design and build of this new building.”

The occasion opened with a few words from Derek Bodey and Rob Bradley, before the traditional blessing took place together with a reading and bidding prayers. Father Gerry Walsh, from St Joseph’s, Portishead, Rob Bradley, students Billy Prichard and Antoinette McIntosh, were placed on a scissor lift and ascended to the top of the building. At the summit, Father Gerry blessed the building, the builders and those who will benefit from it in the future, with holy water. The ceremony concluded with Billy and Antoinette tying flowers to the tallest part of the building.

A topping out celebration is held when the highest point of a new building has been constructed. It is a celebration to thank workers for their efforts, to honour their safe working and to wish safety for those about to complete the construction.