Centre continues to take shape
EXTERIOR work on the construction of the Christie at Macclesfield is nearing completion – and the cancer centre remains on schedule for opening later this year.
Windows, doors, the external cladding and the roof of the £26m facility are almost complete ahead of the first patients being treated there in December.
This means the building is ready for some key items of clinical equipment to be delivered for installation.
The centre is being clad in brass, to match the main entrance at the Christie’s Withington site.
Stuart Keen, director of capital and estates, said: “We are very pleased with the progress that has been made. This is a key phase of the project, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Inside rooms are taking shape with the installation of ceilings, doors, floor coverings, plumbing, electrical supplies, lighting, IT cabling, plastering and decorations.
And the plant room, which will power the building, is nearly done.
The main electricity supply for the site was connected in July with more than 500m of cable.
Away from the building parking areas, a drop-off area and footpaths are all making progress, as is the link corridor to Macclesfield Hospital.
Students studying construction courses at Macclesfield College have visited the site to take a look.
Louise Stimson, from the Christie charity, said: “It is so exciting to see the building progressing this quickly. We are aiming to raise £23m towards the £26m cost of this new cancer centre.
“As a charity, we were hit badly by Covid and that directly impacts the support we can offer the hospital. We have never needed our supporters more because cancer didn’t stop during the pandemic.”