moving home

As you will have noticed, things have been fairly quiet on the blog front for a while….but I have still been busy!

As the opening date for Xcel Centre is drawing closer, we have been revamping our website to make sure it tells you everything you need to know. One of the main changes is that you will now be able see video updates of site progress and read my blog directly from the website, as well as find out about all the facilities on offer.

So – this is my last post here from a business perspective. To keep updated on all things Xcel, check out www.xcelcentre.com

Have a look and let me know what you think!

IP, ISDN, PDQ, CAT6…..

Do any of these abbreviations mean anything to you? They didn’t mean much to me at the start of today, but what a difference a day makes..!

After spending a few hours with Nick Simister at Pennine Telecom, I unfortunately still can’t claim to be an expert, but my knowledge has grown enough to actually understand what the Xcel Centre needs and the options available to provide it.

For the telephone system, we are considering Avaya – if you have any experience of their systems or products I’d appreciate any feedback…..all comments welcome here!

snapshot

21st January 2009 - roofers arrive

Pulled up at work this morning and took on quick photo of the roofers starting work. Guttering first then the rest will follow. Once the roof is on, the interior space starts to take shape – looking forward to things moving on!

this week

Things are really starting to pick up pace on the project and my diary is definitely reflecting that…

I’m meeting with a local hotel, caterers, bank, a policy consultant from Durham County Council and taking a trip down to Bury to look at telecom systems – all before the end of thursday!

Looks like this week could be the pacesetter and the rest of the year follow – must admit though, I love being busy and working with purpose.

just between me and you….

My latest Gantt chart is titled ‘Xcel Master Plan’….

It contains an overview of this year, with tasks scheduled including, marketing events, furniture and fit out reviews, policy and procedures and……..staff recruitment.

I know there are quite a few of you out there who are waiting for the job adverts and applications to be released -  keep a close eye out here as full details will be coming very soon. Just between me and you though – a sneak preview of some of the roles that could need staffing:

PA  // finance officer // daycare centre staff // coffee shop staff // caretaker // cleaner // receptionist…….

not an exhaustive list, and still subject to change, but if you fancy one of these jobs then watch this space!

If you want to subscribe for Xcel Centre updates then click here

keeping organised

I like order.

I work best with structure and a clear idea of where I am going and what I am doing. With the Xcel project picking up pace, I have started to make use of Gantt charts. After researching various software packages and getting bamboozled by the jargon, I resorted to creating my own template in an excel spreadsheet. It was a couple of hours well spent as I have used the template to aid planning for almost every task I’ve approached so far this year. It has also made communicating progress and plans to others much easier.

Do you use Gantt? Let me know if you would recommend any particular software – I’m sure my basic version will only do the job so long….

welcome to the team

This week we are welcoming Caddick Construction on site.

A West Yorkshire based firm, they have been contracted to complete the Xcel Centre. They are extremely enthusiastic to be on site and to get work restarted to keep the project on track. The first phase to open will be Xcel Childcare and I’m delighted that we are still on schedule to welcome families through  the doors in September. Conferencing and Coffee shop facilities won’t be far behind and the whole centre should be fully operational by October.

This is going to be an incredibly exciting year!

new signage on site

new year, new start

Since my last post, there has been alot of work going on behind the scenes to get the Xcel project back on track.

Following discussion with our Design Team, the appointed administrators and various other professional advisors, we are now looking ahead to the new year with confidence.

I am delighted to report that it is now looking very positive that there will be activity starting on site at the beginning on January……Happy New Year!!

east perspective of building beg. Dec

Breaking News…

On monday we received the news that our building contractors had become another casualty of the current economic downturn. York House Construction has gone into adminstration, which leaves the Xcel Centre build site at a temporary standstill.

We are obviously incredibly disappointed, not just because there will be an inevitable delay while we arrange another contractor to come on site, but also for all the workers who had been so enthusiatic about the project, and who now find themselves out of work.

Our design team are working hard to keep things moving and get work started up on site as soon as possible…..keep checking back here for updates….

building blocks

What a difference a couple of weeks makes!

In the last fortnight, with steelwork almost completed, the bricks have started to arrive on site.

The scale of the building is now becoming apparent and it is quite impressive… this photo was taken today and shows the childcare centre and coffee shop walls taking shape.