The City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College’s £33 million relocation development has reached a key milestone, as the symbolic final piece of the roof has been fitted and the building made watertight.
To commemorate reaching this milestone, Miller Construction hosted an official ‘Topping Out’ ceremony on Wednesday 16th December, inviting local dignitaries, University Quarter Partners, Advantage West Midlands, The Learning & Skills Council, members of the College Corporation and friends of the college.
The relocation of the Sixth Form College, which incorporates world class education resources and design features, has rapidly taken shape next to Staffordshire University on Leek Road. Miller Construction are ahead of schedule to complete works and doors will be open to students in September 2010.
The new Sixth Form College is part of an ambitious project which brings together a collaboration of Stoke-on-Trent’s three key educational partners. The University Quarter will feature a collection of state-of-the-art shared facilities including a hi-tech Science Centre scheduled to open next to the Sixth Form College in September 2011.
Principal, Helen Pegg comments: “We are all thrilled with the impressive progress that is being made with the construction of the new college and are delighted with the way in which Millers are working so well with our students and staff throughout the building programme. The topping out ceremony provides us with the opportunity to recognise great progress with this project but also to celebrate another key milestone in the ambitions for the development of the University Quarter. This building really is 'Another UniQ Project' in Stoke on Trent”.
Ian Jubb, Regional Director, Miller Construction (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Helen accepted our invitation to install the last glazed panel to the roof lights to signify the completion of the highest point of the building. The project is on programme, and we are enjoying an excellent working relationship with the College and its partners in order to facilitate education for the future. The solutions that we have been able to offer have provided cost savings, all of which have been returned to the College enabling them to further invest in the education elements of this project which in turn will benefit the learners of Stoke-on-Trent for years to come.
“The City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College is being completed to the highest of standards and we believe this will set the bench mark for the other buildings which will make up the University Quarter.”
Following the ‘Topping Out’ ceremony, work will continue on the interior of the new college building bringing to life unique learning pods and state-of-the art classroom facilities as the team endeavour to create a vibrant new learning environment for young people across the city and beyond.