A 15-year project to create a Sikh temple in Newcastle has been completed.
Crowned by a 12ft gilded dome, the £2.7m Gurdwara is the first in the North East to be purpose-built.
Opened in April, the project has been funded entirely by members of the Sikh community and the building will be used for worship, education and community activities held within the prayer halls, classrooms and eating area.
Inspired by the Golden Temple in Amritsar in India, one of the most important shrines in the Sikh religion, the new temple overlooks Newcastle city centre and St James’s Park. (Pic of temple dome, courtesy of Newcastle Law firm Sintons, which played a key role in the development of the Temple).
“Food will play an important part in the life of the temple,” explained Chris Keith, Director of Wallsend-based Sigma Catering Equipment, who managed the project to install a new kitchen and servery area.
“The volunteers who run the catering very much wanted a traditional kitchen; a lot of food is prepared over open gas flames or large pots, so we installed six burner oven ranges, fryers, stockpot stoves and an existing pizza oven – which is used to cook pizza for children,” says Keith. “One unusual item was a bespoke sink, 900 x 900, with a pre-rinse, for washing the large pots used for cooking rice and curries.”
Also installed was a Meiko FV40.2 undercounter dishwasher and a Disperator waste disposal unit; the dishwasher being intended mostly for glassware.
Adds Ian Walker, Project Manager for the Main Contractor, Walter Thompson: “The build is two storey and features two prayer halls, as well as the dining area and kitchen. A strong part of the tradition is that anyone who visits is offered food. The new temple is a big step up from the previous premises and the temple volunteers were very impressed with the facilities, but had a certain amount of excitement and trepidation when the new kitchen facilities were completed. They are serving up to 500 on a regular basis, plus catering for large weddings and functions.”
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