New Cultural Landmark: Wat Phra Singh UK’s Ubosot Hall Project Secures Final Funding
Wat Phra Singh UK, a Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre in Runcorn, Cheshire are delighted to announce that final grant funding has been approved for the new Ubosot hall to be built on the temple car park. The hall is set to be built in the Northern Thai style and will soon become a major new asset, not just for the temple, but for the wider community. This project will complement the recently finished Peace Garden which is adjacent to the temple, where it has become a tranquil corner for the community, featuring a spectacular six metre tall bronzed Chedi all the way from Thailand.
Final funding for this ambitious project is now in place thanks to the award of a grant of £80,380 from the FCC Communities Foundation. Other funding has also been granted from the UK Government’s Town Deal Fund, a significant donation from our parent temple, Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and reserved funds from Wat Phra Singh UK’s own account. Today’s announcement from FCC Communities Foundation will fund the Mechanical and Electrical elements of the project, and this now gives us the green light to commence construction in early 2025.
This next stage in the project supported by the grant from FCC Communities Foundation is welcomed by the wider Reconnecting Runcorn programme. Councillor Dave Thompson of Halton Borough Council says “We are so pleased with today’s announcement of this grant being awarded to the Wat Phra Singh UK temple to enable construction on the Ubosot Hall. This unique building will not only benefit the community of Runcorn but will be a big draw for visitors from around the country”.
Spokesperson Tony Collacott, founding Trustee of Wat Phra Singh UK believes that the new facility will become a major attraction bringing in people from all around the UK, and is an integral part of the regeneration projects within the Reconnecting Runcorn programme, which is currently being undertaken by Halton Borough Council in Runcorn Old Town. Tony says “This project will provide a unique attraction which will be a benefit for the whole community. It’s fantastic that FCC Communities Foundation has awarded us this funding which now allows us to start construction in the new year”.
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund. Their spokesperson, senior Grant Manager Richard Smith, says “We’re delighted to be supporting the creation of the new Ubosot Hall in Runcorn and pleased our funding will make such a difference to so many groups of people across Halton. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities and we’re looking forward to this one having a positive impact very soon.”
Project spokesperson, Tony Collacott, says that the project will be ready for use by late 2025 and the temple is already receiving enquiries from third parties who would like to make use of this unique facility. Wat Phra Singh UK are now seeking quotations from contractors and can be contacted by email at tony@watphrasinghuk.org or 07776011975.
