Contractors BW Builders will move onto the site on Monday 4 October to begin demolishing the existing greenhouses, which are no longer fit for purpose.
These structures will be replaced with a locally sourced, re-purposed VENLO greenhouse unit, creating one large area which will provide space for plant sales and Crew working space.
A two storey facilities centre will be constructed on the site of Greenhouse no 3. As well as housing a large workshop and retail area selling products made on site, the ground floor will include a health and wellbeing centre alongside Crew and staff canteens.
Pictured: GROW reached its fundraising target in six months, with Guy and Julia Hands as Patrons and many individual, corporate and charitable foundation donors helping it over the line.
The aim is to provide Crew with occupational skills in carpentry and metal work, as well as retail, alongside life skills, communication and team-work preparing many of them for employment in commercial sectors.
While the first floor will include offices, training and storage space a large area is available for like-minded charities who support people with learning, mental or physical disabilities and are in need of suitable accommodation.
A hospitality and retail training building will operate as a small café giving Crew experience in food preparation and front of house skills.
GROW Director Angus Bodman has led the design, planning procurement and process.
“This moment marks the culmination of seven years of work by the entire GROW team to design a reshaped facility and optimise how we deliver our services to the largest number of the island’s learning disabled,” said Mr Bodman.
“There is much to do but we are off to a flying start. For now we particularly thank all our wonderful staff who have worked so very hard to transfer the business to its temporary site.’
It is anticipated work at Les Petits Quartiers will be completed in 18 months. During that time GROW will be operating from Avondale Vinery in Oatlands Lane.