Steel Beam Signing Ceremony

07-Jul-2015

In recognition of reaching the final stages of erecting the steelwork at the Post 16 Education Centre, Deeside, one of the beams has been personalised with the signatures of local school pupils, staff from Coleg Cambria, local councillors and members of Flintshire County Council.

The pupils from Connah's Quay High School and Holywell High School along their head teachers and other key stakeholders, had the opportunity to add their signatures to the beam before watching it being inserted into the new building last Friday morning.

The new £13m education centre is being jointly developed by Coleg Cambria, local schools and Flintshire County Council and will occupy a centralised location between Coleg Cambria's Deeside site and Connah's Quay High School. Designed to offer post 16 learners a wider curriculum, the Centre will boast state-of the-art facilities to provide a truly inspirational learning experience for up to 700 students.

The three-storey building includes specialist performing arts, music, science and creative arts facilities as well as general teaching classrooms and social and private study spaces. Accessed via a newly formed entrance from Golftyn Lane, the scheme will also include staff and visitor car parking as well as a coach park area to serve the wider Coleg Cambria site.

Education Minister Huw Lewis said: "The new Post 16 Education Centre at Connah's Quay will be a state-of-the art and exciting facility for young people in Flintshire. The Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools and Education programme aims to deliver the best possible learning environment for pupils and the local community, and this new facility will certainly do that."

Councillor Chris Bithell, Flintshire County Council's Cabinet member for Education added: "I am delighted that work is progressing to create this first class learning facility. This scheme forms part of Flintshire County Council's planned investment in our schools, and it is also part of the Welsh Government's £200m Schools and Public Buildings Contractor Framework for North Wales.

"Wynne Construction shares our commitment to the local economy, and we know from experience that they will be looking to employ as many local contractors and staff on their projects as possible and supporting local businesses in their supply chains."

The hub will be open to students in Autumn 2016. Wynne Construction, the main contractor, commenced work on site in March 2015. Chris Wynne, Managing Director, Wynne Construction said: "We are delighted to welcome the pupils and key stakeholders to the site today and for them to be involved in a key milestone of the build. As well as supporting the local supply chain in the North Wales economy, we are keen to involve the local community as much as possible so that they feel part of the investment in the new Post 16 Centre."

Photo: from left to right: Connah's Quay High School head boy, Holywell High School pupils, Graham Dickson (Wynne Construction), John Weir (Head teacher Holywell High School), Steve Jackson (Vice Principal Coleg Cambria), Councillor Aaron Shotton (Leader of the Council), Greg Dixon (Head teacher Connah's Quay High School), Ian Dunbar (Local Member), Brian Dunn (Local Member), Ron Hill (Chair of Governor's Connah's Quay High School), Connah' Quay High School head girl, Catrin Jones (Welsh Government), Kevin Grandfield (Principal Officer Secondary Flintshire CC).

 

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