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New college fit for the future

24/11/06

LSC formally approves funding for iconic new College building.

Bracknell and Wokingham College was recently given the good news that the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has agreed in principle to fund up to 70% of the cost of their ambitious 32 million New Build project.

The new College will be built on the Church Road site, where it will replace the existing building. The College already offers quality provision for learners from a skilled and dedicated teaching and support team, a new College building will offer the higher quality accommodation its students deserve.

An iconic modern building will front onto the corner of College land that overlooks the Met Office roundabout. It will be designed to maximise accessibility for students, staff, visitors and the wider community.

Howard O’Keeffe, the College’s Principal and Chief Executive said:
“Our current building dates back to the 1960s and is no longer suitable for teaching the modern curriculum. The quality and capacity of the current learning environment is the major constraint on the further development of the College. Our vision is of a new campus, a world class facility of which all local people can be proud and from which they will benefit. I am delighted that the LSC has shown its belief in and commitment to Bracknell and Wokingham College, its staff and students now and in the future, by supporting a new College building.”

The remaining contribution to the building costs will be funded by proceeds from the eventual sale of the Wick Hill Centre in Bracknell and from borrowings. The project is set to go ahead, subject to planning consent in December 2006 and final LSC approval in June 2007.

Overall completion is scheduled for August 2009.