This hub aims to provide the local community with up-to-date information on progress to relocate services, carry out structural repairs and re-open The Lanthorn Centre.
Update on the Lanthorn Centre
Repair works at the Lanthorn Community Education Centre, Livingston are planned to be complete in November this year.
Work to replace the roof at the Lanthorn Community Education Centre have been ongoing for some time after significant structural issues were identified. The council has fully funded the project to remove and replace the existing roof deck at The Lanthorn Centre and Chapel Annexe.
A new contractor was appointed in April with the objective of completing the project that will allow user groups and the wider public to use the much-valued community facility as quickly as possible.
A full review of the status and condition of the building has been undertaken and the scope of the remaining works to be undertaken has been established. The new contractor has provided a programme of works and estimated timescales for the project and, based on this, the estimated completion date is late November 2024.
The council has confirmed that it is anticipated that the cost of the remaining works will be accommodated within the overall budget available. Updates on progress will continue to be provided throughout the year.
Patrick Welsh, the council's Head of Finance and Property Services said:
"I'm sure everyone will agree the focus now needs to be on completing the project works and working together over the coming months to get the facility back open and moving user groups in as smoothly as possible, so that the wider community once again can use this important community facility when the project is complete."
Contact information
A dedicated email address - Lanthorn@westlothian.gov.uk - has also been established should interested groups/individuals have specific questions at any time.
At this stage we still do not have an exact re-opening date.
Design work for the replacement roof, and reinstatement work, has been carried out and the project issued out for interested contractors who are invited to price in a competitive manner. Once these costs are reviewed and a contractor appointed we will be able to review the proposed programme.
When we know more specific details we will distribute information to local groups and the wider community.
The council commissioned surveys on the condition of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roof planks in the building, which were carried out by specialist independent engineers. Those surveys have identified significant structural issues with the centre's RAAC roof planks. The centre therefore has to close and significant remedial works will have to be carried out.
Further information is available at the following link:
No, there is no link between the structural issues and recent or historic repairs or general maintenance on the building. The Siporex has been in place since the building was constructed in the 1970s.
Recent investigation works have highlighted safety concerns with this product in certain circumstances.
The safety issues are not linked at all with subsequent upgrade works carried out.
An operational working group has been set up consisting of WLC officers, representatives of the Trustees and LCEA Management Committee to find alternative accommodation for the user groups/organisations operating from the Lanthorn Community centre.
The works will require the complete replacement of the structural roof deck. Detailed investigation will require to be carried out to assess the existing structural frame to be able to cope with the new roof deck.
The works will result in significant opening up of the roof to allow the new deck to be installed which will be time consuming and complex operation. All existing internal services, fixture and fittings will require to be removed from the ceiling void areas during the work and reinstated on completion. Protecting the internal fabric from the weather will be challenging so we aiming to avoid carrying out the roof deck works during the winter months.
