LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE ROUNDHOUSE FROM BRADDAN COMMISSIONERS :-

LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE ROUNDHOUSE FROM BRADDAN COMMISSIONERS :-

LANDMARK LEISURE COMPLEX SET FOR WINTER OPENING

Work to create a flagship multi-purpose leisure development in Braddan is moving ever closer to completion.

The Roundhouse, a concept by Braddan Parish Commissioners to bring together community, family, friends, fitness and health in one modern facility, is set to open to the public this winter. As well as providing a range of new leisure, health and community facilities for all ages Island-wide, the complex will create in the region of 25 local jobs.

The local authority has recently presented a petition seeking approval from the Department of Infrastructure to borrow up to £3.4 million from HSBC, as required under Section 51 of the Local Government Act, to conclude the scheme which will comprise a cafe with a children’s soft play area, large multi-use sports hall, gym and exercise studio, along with a nursery, pharmacy, dental practice, therapy suite, treatment room, beauticians and activity classes for babies and children.

In addition, there will be a striking state-of-the-art outdoor inclusive children’s playground, along with an extensive village green incorporating a 500-metre long walking and exercise track, and sensory garden, as part of two acres of open green space.

Chairman Andrew Jessopp said: ‘Excitement is starting to ramp up as we approach the completion of The Roundhouse.

‘It has been several decades since a local authority undertook a scheme of this scale and, having been on site recently, it is truly wonderful to see it all coming together. We have no doubt our
modern leisure and community complex will have a huge positive impact on the outlook, health and wellbeing of Island residents.’

Located at The Strang, adjacent to Palatine Health Centre and Noble’s Hospital, The Roundhouse will have good parking provision and excellent public transport links.

As well as being an ideal venue to meet friends and family, take advantage of essential services and exercise, its modern, comfortable facilities will also be available to hire for a range of
functions and events.

The sports hall, with its pull-out seating, can double up as a performance or exhibition space and conference facility.

Designed by local architects Kay Associates and constructed by Cedar Developments Ltd, Mr Jessopp added: ‘Since the outset, this has been very much a team effort involving local architects, contractors and craftsmen to match the aspirations of the local authority. The scheme has created jobs in the construction industry, as well as at the completed complex itself, and when open will increase footfall to the area and give a boost to local businesses.

‘Regrettably, schemes of this nature take a long time to come to fruition, and inevitably, since it was first planned, the cost has risen. The island has suffered the consequences of the coronavirus
pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine war. They brought with them material price increases and labour shortages, both of which the entire building industry on and off the Island is experiencing.

‘There were also some unexpected issues with the building design that has slowed its progress, but I am delighted we can now see the finishing line and we are all looking forward to seeing how
residents in the parish, and Island wide, can enjoy the first-class facilities at The Roundhouse for generations to come.’

To keep up to date with the latest news about the Roundhouse, please see our dedicated Facebook page – The Roundhouse

Children to benefit from new playground at Community Centre

Bradddan Commissioners are delighted to be able to share the news that the Manx Lottery Trust have funded the installation of a playground at their new community centre at the Roundhouse. The grant of £50,000 will go towards the costs of purchasing and installing an inclusive play area for children aged 4 – 12 years of age and of all physical and cognitive abilities.

For full details of the generous donation, please see the link below to the Manx Lottery Trust website.

Manx Lottery Trust – Playground at the Roundhouse

Beach Buddies clean up Port Soderick Beach & Glen

Beach Buddies volunteers at Port Soderick beach and glen

Braddan Commissioners would like to say a huge thank you to Beach Buddies Isle of Man and their fantastic volunteers for another excellent effort on Sunday. In total they cleared away a bulk bag’s worth of rubbish from the beach and glen at Port Soderick.

Official Opening of Braddan Commissioners’ new apartments at Mullen Doway, Union Mills by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer

 

Braddan Commissioners were delighted to welcome His Excellency Sir John Lorimer and Lady Philippa Lorimer to Union Mills on Wednesday 10 August to formally open the new apartments at Mullen Doway.

They were greeted by the Commissioners’ Chairman Mr Andrew Jessopp who introduced them to his fellow Board members, including past members who were involved at the earlier stages of the build. Also present were representatives from the contractors, Cedar Developments, Bell Burton Associates, Burroughs Stewart Associates and Mullen Consulting.

A presentation was made to the Lieutenant Governor and Lady Lorimer by Isla and Amelia Crookall, grand daughters of Peter Scott, a member of Braddan Commissioners. Also present was the Captain of the Parish, Philip Caley and his wife Margaret.

One of the Commissioners’ most long standing tenants, Mrs Sylvia Lyon, met with Sir John and Lady Philippa and kindly showed them around her new apartment.
Afternoon tea was served to all the guests, including tenants of the apartments. The Commissioners’ provided a bouncy castle, face painting and free ice creams from Davison’s Ice Cream for local children.

New Community Centre – Notice to Prospective Tenants

Braddan Parish Commissioners are seeking Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to enter into Heads of Agreement for the leasing of units at their family leisure development at Strang Corner Field which is due to be completed in January 2023.

The property includes a full size sports hall, suitable for sports such as five-a-side, badminton, netball and basketball and will be managed by the Commissioners.

The Units available lend themselves to a number of businesses but discussions could be held with those not on the list but meet their intended purpose of family centred or health related.

These areas would suit:

  • Coffee shop/eating establishment (for 100 covers)
  • Pharmacy
  • Soft play area
  • Gym and/or exercise studio
  • Optician and/or Therapy Suite
  • Dental Practice
  • Children’s nursery (up to 40 children)

There is sufficient time to discuss the internal layouts to meet the needs of the prospective tenants.

Detailed information about each of the units can be obtained from the Commissioners’ Office.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 15th October 2021.

Contact:
J C Whiteway MBA
Braddan Parish Commissioners
Close Corran
Union Mills
Braddan
IM4 4LZ

Phone: 852808

Email: colin@braddan.im

What could I expect as a Braddan Commissioner?

Successful candidates will have input into decisions that will affect the parish for many years to come. If elected as a Braddan Commissioner you will:
 
· Experience a wide variety of local issues
 
· Have direct influence on national issues, such as the All Island Strategic Plan, Local
Authority Reform, Rating Reform, the potential construction of a new Eastern Civic
Amenity Site in Braddan and numerous other consultations and planning issues that
arise
 
· Meet a great many people; residents, business people and both local and national
politicians
 
· Have input into new capital schemes in the Parish
 
· Influence what the parish represents – especially in regard to environmental issues
given the declared Climate Emergency. For example; what could the authority do to
further reduce its carbon footprint? Are their more efficient and effective ways of
reducing the waste produced in Braddan and methods the authority could introduce to
encourage greater participation in the collection and reuse of recyclable materials.
 
· Consider changing from a weekly to a fortnightly refuse collection
 
· Setting the rate by deciding on the expenditure of Braddan Commissioners
 
· Consider the provision of facilities for younger people – such as additional investment
in new and existing facilities: e.g. skate park, BMX track, playgrounds etc
 
· As we have an ageing population, what facilities and services could be needed in the
future to cater for their needs
 
· Plan for future local authority housing and ongoing maintenance and upgrading of the
existing housing stock
 
These are just some of the issues which you may be asked to consider during your term of office, but as the current Commissioners have discovered, unexpected issues may arise which could require a whole new way of doing things.
 
How you react to this type of situation could become the defining point of your time as a representative of your community.
 
Don’t forget, nominations for the 5 seats on Braddan Parish Commissioners will close at 5pm on Tuesday 29th June 2021.

Why stand as a candidate for Braddan Commissioners?

Why stand as a candidate in Braddan?

· Braddan is no longer “just” a rural parish

· It is strategically sited just outside the island’s capital

· Many businesses have relocated their headquarters to Braddan in recent years

· Braddan is the centre of a recent expansion of retail, light industry and technology
companies, attracted by the additional space and close proximity to Douglas, all of
which provide jobs, hugely benefitting the economy of the island as a whole

· Your decisions will be seen by a large proportion of the island’s population

· In the recently completed Area Plan for the East, more areas of the parish have been
earmarked for housing and commercial development, thereby increasing the population
and business opportunities even further

Forthcoming events:-

Mullen Doway
Opening of the 30 new local authority apartments for social housing at Mullen Doway, Union Mills in September 2021.

Strang Corner Field
Scheduled Opening in January 2023 – the new £6.8m Community Centre at Strang Corner Field, will include:-
· Pharmacist
· Dentist
· Coffee shop
· Multi-use sports hall
· Event venue
· Gym
· Indoor soft play area
· Nursery
· Public playground
· Exercise track

You will have input into many aspects of the finished design and operation of the building.