Contractor hired for £10.5m campus development
Willmott Dixon has won the £10.5m contract for the University Centre Rotherham from RNN Group.
RNN Group, which includes the North Notts and Dearne Valley Colleges, confirmed that it had completed a land purchase from Rotherham Council for the development.
The Doncaster Gate site is near Rotherham’s College’s main campus, and will provide extra facilities for degrees, higher-level courses and professional training.
Completion is expected by autumn 2018.
John Connolly, the chief executive of the RNN Group, which is the parent organisation for Rotherham College and the University Centre Rotherham said: “We are delighted to have taken a big step forward in delivering this fantastic project, which will offer so much to our region’s students and employers. It will be a major boost for us in addressing the skills gaps that employers are expecting to see in the near future, as the economy continues to grow.”
“As part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, the University Centre Rotherham will be an important factor in helping to bring additional investment and employment to the area, and will contribute to the regeneration of the town centre.
“We will continue to work with our university partners and key employers to extend the range of degrees and professional courses we can offer, to ensure our students have the right skills and qualifications to be part of that brighter future for the region.”
Director for Willmott Dixon in Yorkshire, Andrew Hurcomb said: “As a local company based in Yorkshire with a strong track record of work in Rotherham, which includes the role of our sister company Fortem maintaining homes in the town, we are proud to have been appointed by the RNN Group to take forward its plans to create University Centre Rotherham.
“It will provide important skills that will benefit the local economy for years to come and we’ll also build strong links with the university centre to encourage many of its students to choose a career in construction. Also, during the project, we will work closely with local companies in and around Rotherham to ensure as many as possible are involved with the building work.”
The University Centre Rotherham forms a key part of the Rotherham Plan 2025, a regeneration strategy for Rotherham, led by the Rotherham Together Partnership.
Councillor Chris Read, who is the chairman of the Partnership and Leader of Rotherham Council added: “Having our own University Centre in Rotherham is a fantastic opportunity for local people to study at degree level. This is one of our ‘game changers’ in the Rotherham Plan; to help local people gain higher level skills which will increase their employability. It will also help local employers to find the skilled staff they need.”
