Work nears completion at £7m planetarium project
Construction of a new £6.8m planetarium in Nottinghamshire is expected to be completed later this month.
The interior fit-out is underway, with a 10-metre hemispherical screen and projectors being installed to offer tours of the solar system and beyond.
It will include 59 seats and will be accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Funded by the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation, and other donors, the planetarium is part of the Sherwood Observatory’s transformation into a regional education and exhibition centre near Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is managing project and cost services for the scheme, while contractor G F Tomlinson handled the construction, overseeing pre-construction design and planning via SCAPE’s Beyond the Public Sector Framework.
Nick Hanson, associate cost manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is an exciting project that is contributing positively to the local area with a world leading science and education facility.
“The Sherwood Observatory is of huge historical significance and draws on our expertise of delivering high quality visitor attractions, with protected elements sensitively treated and managed through robust stakeholder management plans.
“Our team is fully invested in helping deliver this unique undertaking, which will have a transformative impact on regional tourism and economy drives.”
Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson delivered the construction works for the multi-million pound planetarium – completing pre-construction design and planning through SCAPE’s Beyond the Public Sector Framework.
Jason Ainsworth, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to be part of such an exciting and unique project in the region, and once finished, the state-of-the-art centre promises to be a pivotal tourism and educational hub.
“Alongside attracting thousands of visitors to the region and raising awareness of the local area and history of the site, it also provides opportunities for STEM careers for future generations to come. This was made possible due to our early involvement and collaborative working with the client team and consultants, facilitated through the SCAPE Beyond the Public sector Framework”.
Councillor Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration, growth and local planning at Ashfield District Council, said: “It is wonderful to see the construction of the new planetarium and science centre nearing completion. It has been a monumental effort by all involved.
“It will be a fantastic place for schools and youth groups as well as individuals and families to come and see shows about space and science. We know this will light the fire and passion for future scientists and engineers in the area. It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of seeing this move from an initially pitched idea while walking around the dark Victoria water tank, to securing the funding and now seeing the space transformed into a modern and exciting facility. I could not be more excited to see my first show in the finished planetarium.
“This really will be an incredible asset for the district and broader region and will inspire so many people with the wonders of space and inspire many onto new and exciting careers.”
