University's £3.5million Investment Proves Boon for Builders
11 October 2012
Part of the new library facility at Britannia Mill site.
We continually invest in University facilities to ensure our students have the best possible experience
”Ian Willgoose, Director of Estates at the University of Derby.
The new library on the Britannia Mill site.
More than £3.5million worth of improvements were made to the University of Derby's sites in preparation for the new academic year.
Almost half that investment - much of it in work begun and completed over the summer (2012) - was in contracts which went to construction firms based in Derbyshire, helping the local economy at a difficult time.
The developments include:
- £1m to provide a new lifts system at the main Kedleston Road site in Derby, improving access and allowing for an extension of the Atrium open space. This work, due to be completed this month (October), is by Bailey Construction (Derby) Ltd of Lower Kilburn, Derbyshire.
- £1.5m on the completion of the final phase of works to the University's Britannia Mill site in Derby, which now has colour-coded floors to help students more easily find their way around and a state-of-the-art library. The work was by OPL (Office Projects Limited) of Birmingham.
- £700,000 on the refurbishment of separate studios at the Britannia Mill site, used by the Faculty of Art, Design and Technology. Carter Construction of Derby was the contractor.
- £300,000 on a new music recording studio at the University's Markeaton Street site in Derby. Work by The Studio People of Powys, Wales.
- £213,000 spent on the refurbishment of the Kedleston Road T Block laboratories. The project was handled by OPL.
Ian Willgoose, Director of Estates at the University of Derby, said: "Traditionally a lot of work is done over the summer, while most students are away, on improving the University's sites.
"This summer was one of our busiest yet. A lot of thought has gone into making sites more accessible and easier to get around; for example with the new Kedleston Road lifts system and the colour-coding of floors at the refurbished Britannia Mill site. We continually invest in University facilities to ensure our students have the best possible experience.
"As part of the community it's important to us also that, subject to tendering rules, our schemes go to county and regional firms, helping the local economy."
In 2010 the Estates Department's £13.5m refurbishment of the three main towers at the University's Kedleston Road site won an East Midlands Property 'Sustainable Development of the Year' award and was shortlisted for a national Times Higher Education Award.
For further press information please contact Sean Kirby, University Press and PR Officer, on 01332 591891 or email: s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
