All of the precast concrete panels and about half of the structural steel is in place at the new Countdown site on Centennial Ave in Alexandra.

Breen’s site manager Rick Steele said suddenly there had been a lot of visible progress with the build.

The project is on track despite delivery being ‘very hard’ in the present climate according to Rick. 

The team were proactive and ordered materials early, before needing them which had helped. 

He said they could still use more people on site.

 Site manager Rick Steele has 40 years experience in commerical building and said he loves his job. PHOTO: Anna Robb

“We need chippies and labourers, anyone keen needs to give Breens a call. Even our subbies are shorthanded too.

Part of the problem was due to around 40 people being unable to work due to covid-19 impacts in Central (either being sick themselves or having to isolate as household contacts). The other contributing factor was tight labour supply in the building sector.

Teviot Valley resident, Rick who has worked for Breens for 16 years, hasn’t caught the virus yet despite his children bringing it home. 

“We’re careful here and we separate out at lunchtime and we have the advantage of being outdoors,” Rick said.

Around 20 people from Breens and various sub-contractors are working now to deliver the 3000sqm footprint for the new supermarket, which is due to open in October or November this year.

“We’re keeping on with carpentry, and boxing for the mezzanine floor… along with prep for roofing.

The next milestone people will notice will be the front of the building being closed in with steel and then the roof starting at the back.

“The roof will start in about four to six weeks.”

Rick said that by the time winter sets in the base layer should be completed for the roof and that would assist to keep staff a bit warmer.

“We’ll put a jersey on and maybe long johns… but our containers are warm and we keep our gear warm. 

The site is set to get even busier with staff as refrigeration and mechanics will begin their work after the roofing is done. 

Rick said the company was informing locals and neighbours regularly about work on site and what was happening when.

“Some mornings we do have to start early to get cranes and things set up and that can mean some banging around.

“It’s hard for the layman to interpret plans… and the public don’t realise the scale of what is about to happen.

“It can appear higher that people imagined… it is definitely in your face now [from Ventry St].”

Rick said trees would be planted, the façade painted, and a lot of work was still to be done to bring the building and the visual aspects up to the pictures residents had viewed. 

Subcontractors involved when The Central App visited were Foleys, Phoenix Steel and Adhesion Sealing. 

Structural steel is going up as the building take shape. PHOTO: Anna Robb

Sub contractor Adhesion Sealing are doing tasks like joining pre cast panels for the project. PHOTO: Anna Robb

Stay tuned to The Central App as we will keep you updated on the project in the coming months.