Educational facility nears completion
A LEARNING facility which will enable students in Sheffield to be among the first in the city to study for a new diploma in environmental and land-based studies is nearing completion.
Sheffield-based contractors JF Finnegan started on site in September, knocking down an old tractor shed to pave the way for the new building which includes a laboratory and teaching spaces.
The framework and roof are now complete and the project is due for completion in early January in time for classes to start.
The facility, which will boost the services offered by education charity Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, has been designed by Race Cottam Architects to resemble a typical farm building.
The project has been part funded by the Central Government Diploma Fund and the Inge Sugden Charitable Trust.
JF Finnegan has also contributed time, money and materials to reduce the cost of the project while construction and management consultancy Turner & Townsend has provided free project management and cost consultancy services as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
Whirlow Hall Farm Trust provides learning and developmental experiences for more than 11,000 children each year, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The charity will work with Sheffield City Council’s Lifelong Learning Skills & Communities Service to deliver the new diploma, the equivalent of seven GCSE’s, which includes topics such as sustainable development, eco systems and animal and plant nutrition.
Construction manager for JF Finnegan, Tom Charles, said: “Work is progressing well on the new teaching facility and we are on track for our January 2011 completion date. The charity makes a significant difference to the lives of thousands of youngsters and we are delighted to assist them in enhancing their already impressive offering with the delivery of this new building.
“We have tried to fully integrate the new build into the working farm and once completed, we will have a rain water harvesting scheme that provides fresh running water for the poly tunnels and strawberry production.”
