Local builders win big
CHALLENGING and innovative work on the $ 45 million redevelopment of The Ville Resort Casino has helped Townsville- based building contractors scoop major construction awards.
Hutchinson Builders won the Project of the Year award and PJ Walsh Constructions was named Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year in the North Queensland Master Builders Awards which were held last Friday in the midst of their work, at The Ville.
Hutchies also won the Tourism and Leisure Facilities award for its work on the property.
The Ville redevelopment included three new restaurants, a poolside function space with capacity for 1100 people, an infinity- edge pool and elevated deck to connect the pool and lobby areas.
The completed development, particularly the Quarterdeck bar and restaurant and The Pavilion function centre, created a landmark venue, providing top- class facilities for locals and tourists alike.
Hutchinson Builders project manager for The Ville Pierre Kessler said the work was done in a number of stages between September 2016 and July 2018.
Construction was halted after just two hours of work on some days to avoid disruption to the hotel’s operations due to noise and vibration, and the builders worked on multiple stages at the one time.
Mr Kessler said PJ Walsh Constructions was contracted to undertake the concrete work, including concrete placement, reinforcing and formwork, columns and planter boxes.
He said the curved balustrade on a suspended slab was a feature of the redevelopment, undertaken by PJ Walsh, and very challenging both in design and workmanship.
Mr Kessler said one of the “great things” for PJ Walsh was that the finishes to the columns were considered of such a high standard that the architects chose to leave them unpainted to show the quality of the work.
More than 300 people and 35 contractors worked on The Ville redevelopment.
Mr Kessler said a majority of the contractors were local tradespeople.
Master Builders North Queensland regional manager Melissa Coulter praised all the winners across the 40 categories and said the commercial projects completed over the past year would have a positive impact on the community now and well into the future.
She said the winners were a testament to what the region’s local builders were capable of.