February 3, 2017 - News
Work is now underway on the £5.5m social spaces development at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The project, which is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2017, forms part of the university’s £200m masterplan.
The project involves adding a single-storey ground-floor extension to the university’s existing Foster building that will include areas for breakout activities and informal social learning spaces. A similar facility is also being created to link the Harrington and Greenbank buildings.
Michael Ahern, chief operating officer for the University of Central Lancashire, said:
Increasingly, students expect 24/7 access to flexible, multi-purpose facilities. The new social spaces will accommodate, energise and inspire students and staff in a vibrant and engaging environment – one that people want to be part of. The best learning and research outcomes are achieved when a diverse range of environments are available and this will be a quality space which will blur the traditional boundaries between places to work and socialise. We’re pleased to be working with a local firm on this project, supporting jobs and the local economy, which is a key driver of the overall masterplan.
Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction, added:
We are honoured to have been appointed to this project which will kick-start UCLan’s multimillion programme of works. As a contractor local to the scheme, we have undertaken a number of projects on campus over the years, including refurbishment of the Foster building which this development will adjoin, so our familiarity with the university’s built environment, along with our extensive education experience, will ensure we can deliver a quality project on time and within budget.