A brand new £2.8 million teaching block at the Gorseinon campus of Gower College Swansea has been officially unveiled.
Accommodating 11 classrooms, seven IT suites, a gym with shower facilities and a bicycle shelter, it was formally opened on 6 February by Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.
Sir Leszek unveiled a commemorative plaque before an audience of invited guests including HM Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, the Lord Mayor of Swansea and former teaching staff and Principals of the college, who were then given a guided tour of the new teaching facilities.
The guests were also taken to the library, where substantial improvements have seen it expand over two floors, providing dedicated spaces for social learning and group / silent study as well as an i-Lab, a learning pod and a training room for staff.
“As a college, we are really proud of our continuing investment in facilities and this event was a great opportunity to show our distinguished guests – some of whom haven’t been back to the college for many years - around the campus,” says Principal Mark Jones. “Both the new teaching block and the revamped library opened their doors last September, on time and on budget, and have provided students and staff with first class learning and teaching spaces ever since. We also have a new £1.2 million refectory at Gorseinon, which has seen the installation of a new coffee bar and kitchens, and has ensured that staff and students have far more space to relax between classes.”
The new teaching block has recently been named as the ‘Best Educational Building’ at the City and County of Swansea’s Building Excellence Awards 2014, in recognition of its high standard of construction.
“This is a great accolade and we were especially delighted to welcome Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz to the official opening,” adds Mark. “Gower College Swansea has very close links with the University of Cambridge in our capacity as the ‘hub’ institution for the Swansea HE+ Consortium - a collaboration between the college, the seven local state 6th form schools and the University of Cambridge which encourages students to aim as high as possible when making university choices.”