The Oxford Preservation Trust Awards champion the best in conservation and new design in Oxford, celebrating projects that make meaningful contributions to Oxford’s streets, green spaces and communities.
The winners were announced at the ceremony held at St John’s College on Wednesday 4th of November.
The Oxford Direct Services (ODS) is a commercial organisation with roots in delivering essential services for Oxford City Council, and their recent contributions have been highly commended and one of them receiving the Judges’ Choice Award.
Courtside at Bury Knowle park had taken home the Judges’ Choice Awards, in addition to being highly commended in the Community Impact Category, with the ODS acting as lead contractor on the project.
The project had transformed a rundown pavilion along with deteriorating sports facilities that hadn’t been used a long time, into a flourishing community café and a multi-activity hub, creating an accessible space for locals to come together.
ODS has also contributed to two further projects that were Highly Commended in the Community Category as well.
The East Oxford Community Centre, had been given a rejuvenation, making the centre a more welcoming and open space to the locals, bringing together meticulous heritage restoration, with a practical and cost-effective design. ODS acted as the main contractor on behalf of Oxford City Council for their redevelopment.
The Donnington Community Food Garden, was the transformation of an underused and inaccessible green space outside the Donnington Doorstep, turning into an inclusive hub for growing food and community. ODS contributed as a subcontractor on health of the OXford City Council to the making of the growing community space.
All three of the projects were shortlisted by the Oxford Preservation Trust in its Community Impact Category, recognising the projects beneficial contributions to the local community and people.
“To see three projects that ODS has helped deliver recognised at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards is something that we’re incredibly proud of. These projects are very different but they all demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations and communities work together.” said Simon Howick, Managing Director at the ODS.
These projects reflect ODS’s values in action: working in partnership putting communities at the heart of decision making, and contributing to making a difference that lasts.