THE new £35 million Southern Regional College campus in Armagh is on track for a 2020 opening.
Construction of the major project, which began last spring, has now reached its highest point at 18.4m and the landmark campus is set to complete within two years.
Being built on the existing Lonsdale Road site, the 14,000 sq m campus will house a blend of specialist accommodation designed to facilitate world class professional and technical education and training.
It will also include learning facilities required for students studying at degree and postgraduate levels.
Around 200 jobs are being created within the construction phase, which also includes 25 apprenticeship opportunities.
Southern Regional College chief executive, Brian Doran, said he is delighted to see the progress made on the build.
“It’s so exciting to see many very notable and visible milestones being reached on schedule, with the full steel structure now firmly in place, in addition to concrete floors, stairs and roof coverings," Mr Doran said.
"With internal walls now being positioned and mechanical and electrical installations under way, there’s a real momentum gathering behind the build.”
“The new SRC Armagh campus represents a major investment in dramatically improving educational and training attainment across the city and wider area and is part of our commitment to deliver first-class facilities and opportunities for everyone’s future," he said.
Neil Madeley, from the Further Education estates division at the Department for the Economy added:
“This is an important and significant investment for the community in Armagh and the wider region. It confirms our commitment to provide state-of-the art facilities where Further and Higher Education can continue to transform lives and communities in a modern, skills-focused economy where careers blossom and businesses thrive.”
Designed by WYG Group with Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects, a key feature of the new Armagh build is the provision of innovation hubs through which students will directly engage with business and industry in real life projects.
Newry-based Felix O’Hare Limited, which is spearheading the building project, has also scored a new first for Armagh by creating a ‘digital twin’ or replica of the building that details the complete makeup of the building, the “nuts and bolts” and materials used.
Already a national and international success, the new Armagh campus was recognised earlier this year as Northern Ireland’s best initiative at the UK-wide Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards from more than 30 finalists.
