Waterfront work begins on College vision. (Kirklees College)
November 11th 2009.
Kirklees College’s vision for a new campus at Huddersfield’s Waterfront Quarter is all set to turn into a reality as work will start at the site following an official turf-cutting ceremony on 13th November.
College Principal Chris Sadler, along with Leader of Kirklees Council Councillor Mehboob Khan and Barry Sheerman MP, will take part in the ceremony to mark the first stage of work on the centre which will provide education opportunities for individuals, help local companies prosper through training and aid the regeneration of the town.
Barry Sheerman MP commented:
"I'm delighted to be present at the start of this exciting new development. A scheme that is as ambitious and visionary as the Waterfront project is something that Huddersfield can be really proud of. We are not just gaining an amazing college; this is an amazing regeneration scheme that shows a genuine investment in the skills for our whole community."
Over the next 24 weeks enabling work will take place which will prepare the site for construction. Building work lasting 104 weeks will start at Easter 2010.
West Yorkshire based contractors Allenbuild Limited presented the College with a commemorative spade to mark the occasion. Steve Clarkson, Regional Managing Director of Allenbuild said:
“Allenbuild are delighted to have been appointed as the main contractor and to commence work on site for this exciting and vital new investment for Kirklees. We are now looking forward to delivering the ‘Vision’ for the College, providing an innovative new campus whilst maximising local employment and training opportunities over the duration of the Waterfront development.”
The development, which covers 24,000 square metres, will cost £46 million to build. The building, 9 storeys high at its tallest, will replace the current campus on new North Road. The building will achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ from the Building Research Establishment for its low environmental impact. The building is due to open to students in September 2012.
The College have now appointed project manager Ray Sheller, who has 40 years experience in the construction industry including work on educational projects, to lead the ‘Vision’ development. Melanie Brooke, Vice-Principal (Corporate Services) commented:
“The College is really excited to be moving forward on the site and this ceremony marks an important step in turning our plans into reality.”
Paul Barber, chief executive of the College's development partner Strategic Sites, welcomed the start of work on site. He added:
"The new College will be the first part of the much larger Waterfront Quarter project that will include new offices, restaurants, homes and public open space."
Kirklees College is receiving £54 million of investment from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for the new campus. Mike Lowe, Director of Area for the LSC in West Yorkshire said:
"This is an exciting time for Kirklees College, and the new campus will pave the way to further improve and expand the learning and training opportunities on offer, and also complements the recent merger of Dewsbury College and Huddersfield Technical College to form Kirklees College. This investment will make sure that Kirklees College can meet the skills and training needs of young and adult learners and employers, which is vital in the current economic climate to help individuals into employment and help employers through the recession."