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Work on Wakefield College's new state-of-the-art learning facility at Glasshoughton, the Skills Xchange, moved a step forward this week.

College bosses have signed final contracts with regeneration specialists and acclaimed developers Waystone - as the latest visuals of the proposed new build were also revealed.

"This is a significant milestone on our journey towards realising our very exciting new Campus," said College Principal Heather MacDonald. "The Skills Xchange will help us fulfil our ambitions to provide cutting edge training facilities, for both individuals and businesses, to meet the skills challenges of the 21st century.

"This will be a facility of which our District can be proud. It will serve learners right across the District and beyond, and be an integral part of the regeneration of the Wakefield District, in which the College has a key role to play."

Stuart McLoughlin, Managing Director of Waystone, said, "The Skills Xchange is another landmark building to be sited at Glasshoughton, adding further to the diversity of the site. We are delighted that the College has entrusted the construction of the building to us."

Today, where miners used to toil, stands the most impressive and successful contemporary regeneration project in Yorkshire. Glasshoughton, located at Junction 32 of the M62 between Castleford and Pontefract, is a £200 million, 335-acre mixed-use business park which has been masterminded by Waystone in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, English Partnerships and the European Community.

The site is best known for Xscape, the hugely popular indoor ski slope, whose building incorporates a 14-screen cinema, bowling alley, climbing wall, sports facilities and restaurants. The development also boasts retail outlets, a hotel, superb motorway links, and soon - the Skills Xchange.

Work will begin on the site in May, with the 77-week build due for completion in October 2008 and students through its doors in January 2009. The Xchange will house the provision which is currently offered at the College's Whitwood Campus, including Hair and Beauty Therapy, Construction, Motor Vehicle and Engineering.

Leading property advisor GVA Grimley has worked with the College throughout the project, advising on the development agreement, overseeing the planning application and supporting the College with the sale of its Whitwood Campus, which will close when the Xchange is open. The company will now project manage and monitor the construction programme.

"This is another exciting chapter in the development of Glasshoughton and the College development will breathe new life into their substantial site, which covers approximately nine acres," said John Keyes, partner of GVA Grimley's Strategic Property Consultancy team. "The planning application was approved without any significant problems and work is now set to begin on this striking and iconic building that will sit comfortably alongside Xscape."

College Vice Principal Sue Griffiths said, "As Project Champion, I am really looking forward to working with Waystone and their team, as they translate our architects' drawings into physical reality."

Plans are also underway for a second new College development, in the heart of the Wakefield city itself, fulfilling its aim to become a two Campus College. Consultations and creative workshops involving stakeholders are ongoing, seeking opinion and input to the plans for this new facility.

PropertyMall.com - 05 April 2007