Major milestone reached as Gympanzees moves into main construction phase of permanent centre
Gympanzees has reached a major milestone in its journey to create the UK’s first permanent exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people, with Oakland Construction appointed to deliver the next phase of works at the future home of the charity.
After successfully completing an extensive enabling works programme earlier this year, Oakland Construction will now lead the main construction phase of the transformation of the former Severn View services building in South Gloucestershire.
The Bristol-based contractor was initially appointed in January 2025 to undertake strip-out, demolition and preparatory works across the site. Over recent months, extensive behind-the-scenes work has taken place to prepare the building for redevelopment, including the removal of internal walls and ceilings, floor preparation, structural alterations and site clearance.
Following a competitive review process, Gympanzees appointed Oakland Construction to continue into the main construction phase, recognising the team’s strong performance during the enabling works programme and detailed understanding of the project’s unique requirements.
With this preparatory phase now complete, work is now beginning on creating the purpose-designed spaces that will bring the Gympanzees vision to life.
The first phase of the project will transform approximately 2,350 square metres of space into a fully accessible facility featuring around ten specialist activity and support spaces, including:
- A gym
- Light and dark sensory rooms
- An active sensory space
- A trampoline room
- A music room
- Soft play areas
- A family café
When complete, the centre will provide year-round opportunities for exercise, therapeutic play, friendship and support for disabled children, young people and their families.
A partnership built on trust
Stephanie Wheen, Founder and CEO of Gympanzees, said:
“We’ve been delighted with the progress Oakland has made during the enabling works phase. This stage of the project involved complex preparation work that was essential to the success of the overall build, and the team has consistently demonstrated the expertise, collaboration and commitment needed for a project of this importance.
We’re therefore very pleased to continue our partnership with Oakland as we move into the next stage and begin creating the spaces that thousands of disabled children, young people and families will benefit from for years to come.
While much of the work completed so far has happened behind the scenes, it has been vital in preparing the building for the transformation ahead. Seeing construction move into this next phase is incredibly exciting and brings us one step closer to opening the doors of a permanent home for the families we support.”
Tom Lee-Fox, Managing Director at Oakland Construction, said:
“Having recently completed the final stages of the enabling works, we are absolutely thrilled to continue our journey with Gympanzees.
Having been involved in the project from the very beginning, and even before construction started, being entrusted with delivering this next phase and seeing the centre through to opening day is hugely exciting for our whole team.
There are certain projects where the purpose means I don’t have to work very hard to motivate the team, and this is definitely one of those.”
Creating impact for thousands of families
The new centre will have the capacity to welcome more than 200,000 visits each year, a significant increase on the 28,000 visits Gympanzees has supported through its Pop Up services over the past six years.
An estimated 90,000 families live within an hour’s drive of the centre and are expected to benefit from the services and support it will provide.
The project remains one of the most ambitious disability inclusion developments in the UK. More than £8 million has been raised towards the build to date, with Gympanzees continuing its fundraising efforts to complete the project and ensure the centre can reach its full potential.
Construction is expected to complete in Spring 2027.
