A CREMATORIUM has been officially re-opened after a £3 million pound refurbishment.
Although work on Oakworth Crematorium was finished in March, Friday marked the official opening ceremony for the facility.
Work to the site included a modernised, larger chapel and the installation of a new energy-efficient cremator.
The new cremator will produce fewer mercury emissions and has technology to reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, so will contribute to improved air quality.
New-style cremators are much larger than previous models, meaning the crematorium had to be completely redesigned to fit the new kit.
The chapel has a new floor, ceiling, heating, ventilation and lighting. Its roof has also been repainted and repairs to leaks have been carried out.
Bradford Council says feedback from users of the revamped site has been positive.
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, spoke at Friday’s event, which was attended by local community leaders and representatives of different faith groups.
The scheme is part of Bradford Council’s Bereavement Services Strategy, which aims to modernise and upgrade the district’s cemeteries and crematoria.
A new crematorium in currently under construction at Heaton, which will replace the facility at Nab Wood.
And a new crematorium in Bierley will replace the current one at Scholemoor Cemetery.
Around 3,000 cremations each year are currently carried out at three crematoria managed by Bradford Council.
The district’s existing six cremators - three at Scholemoor, two at Nab Wood and one at Oakworth - are almost two decades old and operating seven to eight years beyond the manufacturer’s stated working life.
Once the work is completed on the new crematoria, the cemeteries in which the old crematoria are located will remain open to the public.
Cllr Ferriby said: “I am delighted that we can mark the completion of this scheme to upgrade Oakworth Crematorium and improve the valuable service it provides.
"We want to be able to provide a compassionate and high-quality bereavement service for our residents, which is appropriate for all religions and beliefs.
“Our Bereavement Services Strategy aims to ensure people receive the best possible service, wherever they live in the district, as well as addressing the need to reduce harmful emissions and increase energy efficiency.”
The building work at Oakworth was carried out by Bermar Building Co Ltd, of Allerton, and the project was designed by Rex Procter and Partners, with support from Treglown Architects, Furness Partnership and Novo Integration Engineers.
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