As you may have noticed there are currently some changes going on around the different campuses of the College. Plans for the Bangor, Ards, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Newcastle and Lisburn campuses involve brand new buildings and a spend of around 61.5 million pounds in total.
The College is procuring new buildings for the above campuses as part of a Private Finance Initiative to create modern purpose-built centres to deliver a changing curriculum for 16-year olds and adults.The new buildings will result in a 15,100 square metre campus at Downpatrick, a 14,200 square metre campus at Lisburn, a 1,071 square metre campus at Newcastle and a 795 square metre replacement building for the Ballynahinch campus.
*Plans for the Bangor and Ards Campus to follow*
The Downpatrick and Lisburn Campuses will contain:
- Student study areas
- Student social areas
- Library/learning centres
- Enhanced car parking
- State-of-the-art Technical Skills Centres
- Combined Central Hall and Sports Hall and associated Fitness Suite
- Modern facilities and equipment
The Newcastle and Ballynahinch campuses will contain:
- Essential Skills rooms
- IT laboratories
- Craft workshops
- General classrooms
All of these developments will provide enhanced educational facilities across the new South Eastern Regional College.
As at 11 February 2008:
- Full planning permission has been approved for all four campuses
- Advanced works at Lisburn and Downpatrick ongoing
- Full business case approved
- Contracts to be signed by The South Eastern Regional College Governing Body by February/March 2008
Completion of the sites:
Downpatrick campus, 1st phase March 2009, 2nd/3rd stage October 2010
Newcastle campus, March 2009
Ballynahinch campus, October 2010
Lisburn campus, March 2010