Business

SRC Banbridge campus plan on track for 2020

How the new SRC Banbridge campus will look on completion
How the new SRC Banbridge campus will look on completion How the new SRC Banbridge campus will look on completion

PLANS for a new multi-million pound educational campus in Banbridge are on track for completion in 2020 following formal notification of funding arrangements from the Department for the Economy.

The plan to build a brand new SRC campus at Castlewellan Road was granted full planning permission last year and is part of a wider joint investment programme by both SRC and the Department for the Economy aimed at enhancing local educational provision and facilities across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon areas.

The college, which will be located at the existing SRC site in Banbridge, remains on track for completion in 2020 and will incorporate new learning facilities, including a dedicated learning resource centre and innovation hubs.

The new building, which will cost up to £15 million, will feature around 4,500 sq metres of specialist accommodation.

With changes to the curriculum on offer, the new campus is also set to become a specialist centre for digital media and design.

SRC chief executive Brian Doran said: “With planning and funding secured, the green light is on to create what will be an outstanding new campus in Banbridge, a world-class learning environment and a building which thousands of students and staff will be proud of.

“This investment enables us to drive forward our shared growth agenda, delivering transformational education, skills and training, powering greater connectivity with business and driving economic growth, new jobs and opportunities.”

The next step for the College will be to appoint a contractor to complete the build.

Mr Doran added: “The funding pledged and now formally secured is testament to our continued commitment to deliver world-class education and training that will benefit the communities we serve.

“I am delighted by the Department for the Economy’s continued commitment to enhancing Further and Higher Education in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area and I am grateful for their ongoing support.”

The Banbridge campus will continue to operate as normal as the new building will be constructed elsewhere on the site.

Last month the new Armagh campus was recognised as Northern Ireland’s best initiative at the Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards.

Also designed by WYG, the stunning new campus will now go forward to represent Northern Ireland at the national awards in April.

Last November it appointed Newry-based Felix O’Hare and Co to spearhead a new £35 million campus development in Armagh which is due for completion in 2020.

SRC has also been named the best performing further education college in Northern Ireland after its six campuses, which includes Banbridge, came out on top in and independent report by the Department for the Economy NI and the University of Ulster.

The College has more than 34,000 full and part-time students and delivers a wide range of higher level professional and technical courses.