BMC Titanic Launch
Belfast Metropolitan College launches Titanic plans
Strategic Investment Board Limited (SIB) has worked with Belfast Metropolitan College, in conjunction with the Department for Employment and Learning to help reach financial close of the new, £44 million, campus due to open in August 2011. The new building, in Titanic Quarter, will replace existing accommodation at College Square East and Brunswick Street.
Belfast Metropolitan College is working in partnership with Ivywood Colleges Ltd in order to develop a state of the art facility. The new building will accommodate a total of 2,500 full time students to complement the College’s other main City Centre provision at Millfield. Ivywood Colleges Ltd is a consortium comprising Pattons, Ulster Bank, Amey and Todd Architect who will be responsible for the design, build, financing and operation of the facility for 25 years. Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: “This is excellent news, especially as it comes just after a week of such crippling job losses. This is not only heartening for the staff and students; it will also give a much needed boost to our construction industry. |  |
“In these difficult times, where training is at an all time premium, this will undoubtedly be a positive step forward in encouraging people to follow the route into lifelong learning.”
This contract is an integral part of the Northern Ireland Executive's Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland which sets out a long-term view of planned investment, approaching £20bn, over the next decade to improve schools, roads, water, waste, and health infrastructure.
SIB Chief Executive, David Gavaghan, added that “this project is part of the longer term vision for Northern Ireland which will see a transformation in our public infrastructure. Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of ISNI is that, through projects like BMC, we can inspire our young people within a highly innovative, well designed and sustainable learning environment. This creates a better chance of maximising their potential, keeping them in Northern Ireland where they will contribute towards our longer term economic and social well-being.”
The College’s Interim Director and Chief Executive, Dr Raymond Mullan OBE, stated:
“This is a timely and necessary development which will provide state of the art teaching and learning facilities for our students and employers and enable Belfast Metropolitan College to enhance its leading role in the growth of the local skills base and the Northern Ireland economy. The new city centre College, replacing two of our ageing buildings, the iconic College Square East and the Brunswick Street campuses, will enable young people and adults throughout Belfast and beyond to realise their potential through the provision of relevant high quality education and training.
This is an exciting development for the staff and students of the College and I would like to thank the Department for Employment & Learning, our financial and legal advisers, the Strategic Investment Board, the staff and the Governing Body for their input and support to get the project to this final stage. I am confident that Ivywood Colleges will deliver a first class building for the opening in 2011.”
