Construction phase for college begins

7 May 2008

A £60m Public Private Partnership project to construct new education facilities for the South Eastern Regional College officially got underway today.

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, announced the commencement of the construction phase which will deliver new Further Education (FE) Campuses in Lisburn, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Minister said: “This is a significant milestone in the development of the much needed educational accommodation for the people of the Lisburn and South Down areas.  This development will allow the College to continue to deliver first class education and training to the local areas.

“Skills, together with enterprise, infrastructure, research and development, are the key drivers of our economic vision for Northern Ireland.  Of these, skills development presents the greatest challenge, but offers the greatest potential for improvement.  If skills, or the lack of skills, is the problem, then Further Education must play a critical role in the solution.”

The building work will take three years to complete with the Lisburn Campus becoming available in April 2010 and the Downpatrick facility in February 2011.  

Sir Reg continued: “Given the constraints of the current financial climate, this investment is testimony to the commitment of my Department to provide a Further Education infrastructure equipped to meet the needs of a modern vibrant economy.”

In 2006/07 the South Eastern Regional College had over 24,000 professional and technical student enrolments and a further 5,000 non-vocational students.  The College employs more than 1200 lecturing staff, managers and support staff.

College Acting Principal and Chief Executive, Mr Tom Place, said: “This investment marks the key role which South Eastern Regional College will play in the future of the local economy.  With enhanced facilities in which to deliver a high quality learning experience the College is committed to the success of individual learners and the businesses which employ them.”  

NOTES TO EDITOR:

  1. Following the merger of FE colleges in August 2007, Lisburn and East Down (Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch) colleges joined with the North Down and Ards College to become the South Eastern Regional College.
  2. In Public Private Partnership arrangements the private sector consortium design, build, finance and operate the building for the concession period, in this case 25 years, after which time the building reverts to the college.
  3. The private sector consortium in this project comprises Bilfinger Berger BOT Ltd, John Graham (Dromore) Ltd, O’Hare and McGovern Ltd and Farrans (Construction) Ltd. Farrans will build Lisburn, O’Hare and McGovern will build Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle, and John Graham (Dromore) Ltd will provide facilities management services to all Campuses. Bank of Ireland provided the finance and Knox and Clayton designed Lisburn with Kennedy Fitzgerald designing Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle.
  4. The College was advised by a team of FGS McClure Watters (technical), KPMG (financial) and A&L Goodbody (legal).
  5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  6. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.