Sense celebrates the handover of new sustainable college
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13/09/2009
A Sense team in the Midlands is celebrating the successful handover of the new £33m Gateway College in Leicester, a project Sense has been involved in as cost manager and employer's agent since January 2008.
The Gateway College project involved the relocation of the Sixth Form College from a cramped city centre site adjoining De Montford University to a new building situated on a greenfield site on the outskirts of the city. The new institution has opened its doors to more than 1,500 students aged between 16 and 19 and has specialist provision for those with physical and learning difficulties.
College Principal, Nick Goffin and Chair of Governors, Canon Michael Wilson were especially pleased to be handed the keys at an informal ceremony this month following problems encountered during the development. Spanning eight years from planning to completion, the project was threatened with a lack of funding in 2007 due to private sector investors pulling out of the development. Undeterred, the college was able to secure further additional funding and work started on site after only a two month delay.
The building is reported to be one of the most environmentally friendly colleges in the country boasting biomass wood chip boilers, rainwater harvesting tanks, wind turbines and sustainable underground drainage systems among other features. The college has a unique design with a large 'street' running through the middle of the building leading to a series of 'pods' containing classrooms for each department. The building also boasts a theatre and dance space, a large four-court sports hall, a fitness centre and an outdoor pitch.
