An Incredible Transformation
Refurbishments in 2024/25
Summer 2024 - the main hall
After a period of fundraising involving capital appeals to church members and applications for external grants, we were in a position to refurbish the main hall in summer 2024:
The original uninsulated asbestos sheet roof was replaced with a modern Quadcore steel profile roof (which means no more buckets to catch leaks!).
Old windows and doors with rotten joinery were replaced with new double glazing.
A solar panel and battery system was installed to provide sustainable energy.
The maple sprung floor was refurbished with the addition of new netball court lines.
The hall was freshly decorated.
Old heaters were replaced.
New curtains and high level blinds were installed.
Church members and other building users have expressed their delight at the results, the hall is now weathertight, warm and welcoming for all.
We are grateful to the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, FCC Communities Foundation, Milton Keynes City Council’s Carbon Offset Fund and Milton Keynes Community Foundation for their support to enable these works.
Spring 2025 - modernisation
To complete the modernisation of the hall in early 2025 we were also able to remodel the stage, including converting void spaces to storage cupboards suitable for holding table tennis tables, furniture and sports equipment. This is a useful precursor to the redevelopment plans when we will lose some of the current storage at the rear of the building to create more usable space. We are grateful to the Norwood & Newton Settlement for their support to enable this work. To complete the transformation we were also able to purchase a new modern lighting rig and AV desk with part of our grant from the Community Ownership Fund.
In early 2025 we were also able to make energy efficiency improvements to the parts of the building that wrap around the main hall, including:
replacing the flat roofs above meeting rooms/offices
installing additional insulation
replacing old/damaged corridor ceilings
replacing all remaining single glazing that would not be affected by the forthcoming redevelopment.
We are grateful to the Government’s VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme and Milton Keynes City Council’s Carbon Offset Scheme for their support towards this work.
We are excited that Lovat Hall is now well on its way to becoming fit for purpose for a long-term future so it can continue to be used by our church and community. Our greatest challenge now lies ahead: the redevelopment of the rear of the building.