Member Article

Joint venture steps up to save Caernarfon winter ice rink

The joint venture delivering the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass has stepped in to save the town’s first ever winter ice rink project.

The initial chosen power supplier for HWB Caernarfon for the indoor skating rink could not meet the programme dates. Therefore Balfour Beatty Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK answered the call for help and lent a generator to ensure the attraction could go ahead as planned.

Gavin Owen, HWB Caernarfon manager, was thankful for the support of the joint venture to ensure the rink could be enjoyed by members of the public on the Maes.

He said: “We have been trying to raise money for the project through sponsors and support grants. I knew the joint venture was working on the bypass in Caernarfon so we approached them for support to allow the project to go ahead

“They have been great stepping up, really down to earth and chatting to us about the project and what it is doing locally.

“We were in a bit of a hole at the time and if it wasn’t for the joint venture, we’d have had to delay everything by a few weeks which would have really affected us.”

Businesses voted to set up the BID area in Caernarfon in 2016 – led by Mr Owen - which includes a levy paid by companies towards a regeneration fund for the town.

Balfour Beatty Jones Bros is working to deliver the largest highway scheme in North Wales, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2022.

Hefin Lloyd-Davies, project manager for the bypass, said: “We were more than happy to step in and make sure the ice rink was able to go ahead and are pleased local residents will be able to use the facility, a project like this is a very good boost for the local economy of Caernarfon at Christmas time”

Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group working in sectors including transportation, power and energy, and water.

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros is now being run by the second and third generations of the founding family, employs more than 350 people, and has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years.

This is the latest joint venture between Balfour Beatty and Jones Bros with the duo having previously delivered on work at Wylfa Newydd power station as well as the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm in South Wales.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .