LSC give its support to Suffolk New College
The media are invited to a press conference being held in Boardroom 2 at Suffolk New College on Wednesday 7 November at 8.00am. Where you will have the opportunity to speak with Professor Dave Muller, Principal - Suffolk New College, Peter Whitmore, Operations Director - Morgan Ashurst and other members of the project board about the following release. There will also be an opportunity to take photographs on the new site. Please confirm attendance.
Suffolk New College are delighted to announce that the National LSC have approved their request for £42.82 million, to support the build of their £69 million new college.
This investment will enable the College to replace its current dilapidated estate with modern buildings which will improve space utilisation and flexibility to support the renewed focus on FE provision. The new facility has been designed to provide an appropriate balance of general purpose and specialist space with a mix of flexible teaching and learning resource areas utilising modern construction methods and materials that will deliver operational efficiency and a 15% or more reduction in running costs.
The new build will accommodate the predicted growth in student FTE (full-time equivalent) numbers from 3135 in 2007/07 to 3500 in 2011/2012.
It will incorporate new technologies in ICT across the College in teaching rooms, vocational areas and for general administration. New ways of working that utilise technology are being developed and will be modelled with staff over the next twelve months.
The building will surround a three storey atrium, a magnificent void of a space that provides a central circulation area and social space for the complex, a food court where staff and students can grab a coffee or a more substantial lunch, a learning space with computers and publicly accessible exhibition space.
The new development will include a sports hall in a separate building thus allowing access during the evening and at weekends for community use.
The Suffolk New College FE project is part of an overall vision to create an innovative Education Quarter in Ipswich incorporating Suffolk New College and University Campus Suffolk.
Timescales:
Planning approval received for main build – 1 August 2007
Outline planning approval received for stand alone Sports Hall – 1 August 2007
Final LSC approval received – Nov 2007
Enabling works - Ongoing
Completion – July 09
College operation commences in new build – Autumn 2009
Partners/consultants
Morgan Ashurst (formally AMEC)
AYH – Project Management, Quantity Surveying, CDM Co-ordinator
Sheppard Robson – Architecture
Faber Maunsell – Mechanical & Electrical, Structure engineers
The Facts
•Planned opening Autumn 2009
•Cost £69 Million
•22,000 Square metres (equivalent to 3 football pitches) of teaching and learning space built around an internal atrium containing a food court and exhibition area
•State-of-the-art accommodation meeting the needs of the local community & business
•Training Restaurant, Hair and Beauty salons, performance area open to the community
•Complex building to meet 21st Century curriculum demands