Leeds Met contract for BAM Construction

BAM Construction is to refurbish the ten-storey Calverley Building for Leeds Metropolitan University.

The contractor, which has offices in the city, will modernise the 1970s teaching block.

Work under the £6.3m contract will include replacing windows, cleaning the concrete façade, upgrading plant and services and creating a more open-plan learning environment.

BAM will carry out the work three floors at a time, while the others floors are in use. Users of the finished building include the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, pool teaching and administration.

Two senior members of BAM on the project have associations with Leeds Metropolitan University.

Senior site manager Luke Milner and site manager Ryan Geldard have both undertaken BAM-sponsored construction management degrees at the institution.

BAM construction director John Phillips said: “We look forward to this challenging but rewarding scheme to improve facilities for staff and students at Leeds Metropolitan University.

“It is particularly pleasing for Luke and Ryan to be able to work on a project to benefit the university at which they gained their skills. They can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Sue Holmes, director of estates at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: “We are delighted to be working with BAM again after our successful partnership on the Rose Bowl and Carnegie Pavilion.

“This technically challenging project takes a building that is almost 50 years old and will give it a new life for a further 40 years.”

DTZ is providing project management and lead design services, with mechanical, electrical and structural engineering being undertaken by Arup.