New roof for arson-hit Salvation Army centre
Work is underway to build a new roof at a Salvation Army centre in Stafford following an arson attack.
The £310,000 rebuild began after contractors secured the damaged foundations.
The blaze last August caused the old roof to collapse in to the Christian community centre. Vandals started the fire by setting wheelie bins alight.
Cremin Construction moved onto the site on Faraday Road on February 24 and the salvage work is expected to take 16 weeks in total.
Linda Downward, officer in charge at the base, said: "Work is on track with no complications so far which is wonderful. It is coming along beautifully."
The original cost of the rebuild was estimated at £250,000 but a full investigation into the extent of the damage caused revealed the repair work would cost £60,000 more than first thought.
The work on the roof is expected to be completed by the end of the week and builders will then start on the under floor heating and the installation of windows.
The charity hopes to have possession of the building by the end of June and plans to be reopen it for business in July.
Mrs Downward said: "As we get closer to the completion date, our adrenalin is pumping again now. The groups which used the centre are as eager as we are to get back in."
She added: "The whole community can see the progress now and we have had a lot of excited and positive comments.
"People are really interested in how the plans are coming on and I can't thank them enough for their support."
The Christian charity is insured for the cost of the exterior work but are 'vastly under-insured' for refurbishing the interior and are appealing for furniture for the centre.
The Salvation Army has been active in Stafford for 125 years and the centre will need to replace all furniture and kitchen equipment before a grand reopening which is planned for Autumn.
