Leek College celebrated the official opening of its new £225,000 student learning and support centre with Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley on Friday, as news was announced of a further £2 million investment in new facilities! Karen performed the official opening of the new study centre, known as "The HUB", designed by Hunt Feneley Architecture, after guests toured the new facility. The HUB incorporates a library of 18,000 books, a bank of computers with internet access, camera loan service, reprographics department and a coffee shop.
Karen said: "It's so clear and obvious that this space has been designed by students and you can't underestimate the importance of having somewhere like this where students can come together and chat and feel part of the crowd as well as to study and access information. "Leek College may be the smallest college of Further Education in the country, but it punches well above its weight and it's an incredible honour to perform this official opening ceremony today."
Work is due to start in July on a new building at the bottom of Union Street. The accommodation, expected to be in use by September 2013 and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, will comprise of a two storey, sustainable building designed to provide an inspirational learning environment for all learners. It will provide new engineering workshops, flexible art & design studios and additional facilities for learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities. This will allow the further expansion of construction facilities and expanded provision to include trowel trades and painting and decorating. The new building project will begin the regeneration of a key area of Leek already identified by the Local Authority and very much needed by the users of Leek College.
Announcing the good news, Leek College Principal Rob Morrey told guests at the opening of The HUB: "In the not too distant future we will be celebrating another ribbon cutting ceremony, as we have just heard that our bid for national funding to provide new engineering, art & design and construction facilities has been successful."
The new facilities are still subject to planning permission, but are expected to increase the range of opportunities on offer to Leek College students in line with the planned merger with Buxton College.
Earlier, A level media student Martha Hermolle told guests: "This new study centre is accessible and, most important of all, it's a friendly place to be. Staff are always on hand to help with any problems or queries and it's a bright and happy space. I think the brightness of the room reflects onto the students and staff."
Visitors were able to watch students at work on computer aided engineering designs, animation projects and manicuring demonstrations as well as view recent college projects ranging from video diaries to art and health promotion displays. Students and adults interested in viewing the facilities for themselves can find out more at an Open Evening on Wednesday, 1st February, from 5pm until 8pm.