Work Starts at New Derby College Ilkeston Campus
Work has started on Derby College’s new £10 million Ilkeston campus on the site of the former Magistrates Court in the town centre.
Heage-based construction company Bowmer & Kirkland – the company who handled the £48 million construction and refurbishment of the College’s flagship Roundhouse campus – have been appointed to handle the project which is due for completion by the end of the year.
The College is due to close the existing Field Road site at the end of term in December 2013 with staff and students moving to the new campus in January 2014.
Field Road has been sold to developers St James Securities and work will start next year on a new retail store and petrol station for Morrison as well as 39 new private and social housing homes.
A wide range of vocational courses will be based at the new Ilkeston campus – the base for more than 800 students and staff including Construction, Engineering, Hair and Beauty and Care with some associated A level courses and apprenticeship training provision.
An information evening for prospective students to find out more about the courses on offer and the new facilities will be held at the College’s existing Ilkeston campus in Field Road on Thursday February 28 between 5.30pm and 8pm.
Derby College Chief Executive Mandie Stravino explained: “We are delighted to be working again with Bowmer & Kirkland to create these fantastic new further education facilities in Ilkeston.
“There has been a great deal of interest from prospective students who will start their courses at Field Road in September and then move to the new campus in January.
“The multi-million pound investment in new facilities will enable students to realise their full potential and gain the valuable work and life skills that are so vital in these demanding economic times, both for themselves as individuals and for local employers.
“It will provide the local community in Ilkeston and the surrounding area with the state of the art facilities that they deserve and brings facilities in this area in line with the multi-million pound investment in our other sites.”
Bowmer & Kirkland Group Director Robert Kirkland said: “We have a long and successful relationship with Derby College and are delighted to be constructing their latest campus which will further enhance their reputation as an outstanding education provider.”
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Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, Derby College, Tel: 07951 945 665; sarah.jenkin-jones@derby-college.ac.uk
Notes to editors
About Derby College: One of the largest and most successful Further Education Colleges in the UK. Every year Derby College welcomes over 30,000 learners on courses of all levels, from pre-16 provision for school learners to higher education courses and work-based qualifications.
Other investment by Derby College has included the Joseph Wright Centre in the heart of Derby city centre; Broomfield Hall land-based campus which is currently undergoing substantial improvements and the development of indoor and outdoor sports facilities following the sale of the College’s Mackworth site; and the award-winning £48 million Roundhouse campus in Pride Park which has recently been expanded with the development of a new £3.5 million construction academy.