New college building moves step closer

A MULTI-MILLION pound project to refurbish Suffolk New College is beginning to take shape.

Naomi Cassidy

A MULTI-MILLION pound project to refurbish Suffolk New College is beginning to take shape.

A 50-tonne crane lifted and installed huge panels to form the walls and support the windows and cladding.

The installation marks a key phase in the ambitious £70million project at Rope Walk to enhance the college facilities, which will include building a performance area, hair and beauty studio including a spa, engineering and construction workshops, IT suites, general teaching and training rooms and a food court.

The work is being carried out by construction company Morgan Ashurst, which has an office in Hadleigh Road, Ipswich.

The firm is taking steps to use environmentally-friendly materials so will use recycled hardcore and timber from sustainable forests. The team will also monitor energy usage and separate different types of waste, to prevent as much as possible from going to landfill.

Paul Brown, senior site manager, said: “We are really excited to see this state-of-the-art, 21st century college taking shape.

“Next, we are putting in the windows, cladding to the façade, a glass panelling system to the atrium and carrying out the internal fit-out of electrics, heating and ventilation.”

Meanwhile students at the University Campus Suffolk were set to attend the first Freshers Fair in the new Waterfront building today.

There were expected to be more than 60 exhibitors at the fair, including community organisations like Suffolk Fire and Rescue with the fire experience unit, clubs and societies, Union media, NUS and local businesses.

Howard Smith, president of UCS Students' Union, was also due to be on hand to welcome new students.

What do you think about the new education facilities in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.