£13m Building College campus is officially opened
Leeds College of Building has opened phase two of its South Bank Campus – a £13m development.
Designed by Fuse, this property is in a prominent position alongside the existing college building. The latest development is a 5,200 sq m, four-storey building which includes classrooms, workshops and a central atrium.
To fund the project, Leeds College of Building received an £11.9m investment from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), delivered with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment.
A large proportion of Leeds College of Building’s 6,000 students will attend the two South Bank sites, with the remainder using the College’s North Street Campus.
Representatives from the college, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), Clugston Construction, and the Lord Mayor of Leeds attended the phase two opening ceremony.
Roger Marsh, Chair of the LEP, said: “Leeds City Region is proud to host the UK’s only specialist further education construction college. The new campus is one of our biggest educational assets and will help to address the skills gap that exists in the industry.
“We talk about creating a city region where young people can thrive and achieve their dreams and here, we have a shining example of how we’re laying the foundations for future economic growth.”
Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority board member, said:
“It is fantastic news that phase two of the Leeds College of Building South Bank Campus redevelopment is now officially open.
“We want to ensure facilities for students in Leeds are of the highest possible standard. This new campus certainly meets these criteria and will offer a wonderful environment in which students can learn the skills they need to prosper in the construction industry.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “This Government is committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Northern Powerhouse, connecting places and building an economy which is fit for the future.
“That is why we have provided £11.9m through the Local Growth Fund to support the Leeds College of Building’s South Bank Campus. ”
Derek Whitehead, Principal at Leeds College of Building, explained: “We’re delighted to officially open phase 2 of the newly named South Bank Campus.
“The building will be the home for a range of traditional courses, including mechanical and electrical, plumbing and heating programmes, as well as enabling us to provide more training in the ever-expanding area of BIM technology.
“And it will offer purpose-designed classrooms for the College’s Higher Education courses.”
Mike Harris, Director at Fuse, added: “It’s four years since phase one of the South Bank campus opened and it has quickly become a prominent South Bank landmark.
“The new building complements this perfectly, featuring materials and an architectural language, which echo the area’s industrial heritage.”
Robert Hardy, Project Director at CPC Project Services, said: “This has been a fantastic project, with great people producing a first-class specialist educational facility.”
Rod Fry, Construction Director of Clugston (the project’s main contractors) said: “We are delighted to have played a part in delivering a facility that will play a pivotal role in training the next generation of people for the construction industry.”
