Building set to kick off on £40m college scheme

Builders will start the initial work on the building for the town's biggest educational investment during November.

The concrete frame of the college will be completed by next May to enable everyone to quickly see the size and form of the building.

This progress will follow their expected completion of the new sports courts on the college site to replace those which will be taken over by the modern building.

The replacements will feature five floodlit tennis coursrs, which can also be used as four netball courts, as well as three five-a-side football pitches with the latest synthetic grass.

Workmen from contractor Willmot Dixon began work on the sports courts at the Westloats Lane site on July 21 as the first phase of the ambitious new educational facilities.

The new college, which is being funded by the government, is set to open in September 2010.

It will have room for up to 1,800 pupils.

They will find accommodation over four floors with two internal courtyard areas '“ atriums '“ providing plenty of natural light and focus points.

Within these open spaces, will be specific areas for meetings, shared learning areas, distinctive dining areas and an open plan library.

Each classroom will be fully interactive with the latest technology and extensive IT equipment.

The top floor will feature a series of art studios. A separate environment is being created for sixth formers. Many of the facilities on the campus will be available for community use.

These include a school gym with Olympic-class trampolines and gymnastics space, two drama studios and a 300-seat theatre for performing arts, a 150-seat lecture theatre and specialist rooms available for a planned expansion of adult education.

Mark Betts, the college's community and business manager, said recently: "With all these additional facilities and our commitment to maximise their use, this will truly be a college for the whole community."

The redevelopment of the campus also features a new county council- funded 11m primary school for 630 pupils.

This will replace the existing Glade Infant and Michael Ayres Junior schools and will be built close to the existing junior school.

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