400 CONSTRUCTION JOBS TO BE SUPPORTED BY 44M COLLEGE PROJECT
23rd Apr 2009
Some 400 construction sector jobs will be supported by the development of the new multi-million pound Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC) campus at Titanic Quarter.
The 44m project, which goes on site this week and is expected to be completed by August 2011, will support the jobs in building contracting and construction materials manufacturing.
Development is beginning following the signing of a contract with project coordinator Ivywood Colleges to design, build and run the campus, with Ulster Bank as financial backer. The bank is also providing finance for the wider development of Titanic Quarter.
Ballymena-based Patton Group has been appointed by Ivywood Colleges as building contractor for the BMC scheme, which will create a new campus to replace existing college buildings at Brunswick Street and College Square East.
Richard Ennis, Ulster Bank's Head of Corporate and Property Banking, says that in addition to supporting the construction sector, the development of the new campus will also provide a boost to Titanic Quarter as a whole.
"BMC is one of the pillars of Titanic Quarter and as such is very important to the success of other aspects of the scheme," Mr Ennis says.
"With 2,500 students expected to study at the campus, this obviously provides significant opportunities with regard to residential and retail aspects.
"The signing of the contract and commencement of development work will provide an important boost in this regard," Mr Ennis adds.
Patton Construction will be responsible for the design and build of the new college to a complete turnkey specification.
Trevor Campbell, Director of Patton Construction, said the project would be a real boost to the Patton Group, its supply chain and the entire local construction industry.
"This has been a long process, but we are delighted to have been given the go ahead to build such a landmark education project in the heart of the emerging Titanic Quarter. It will be a challenging programme but we have assembled an experienced and expert team to take it forward and complete the scheme on time."
"The Patton Group has significant experience and a strong reputation for delivering educational facilities, including the University of Ulster's Belfast Campus. We are also currently involved in the delivery of 2 new schools in Belfast and 3 in schools in Scotland."
Titanic Quarter, Europe's largest waterfront development, will transform a 185-acre site on the banks of Belfast's river Lagan into a new mixed use maritime quarter with a mile of water frontage and a range of investment opportunities, including: over 7,500 apartments, 900,000 sq m of business, education, office and research and development floor space together with hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and other leisure uses.