Shortlisted for top award

Opened in March 2011, the new build developments encompass 9,000 square metres of state of the art learning and support facilities within two new buildings, Foyle and Strand, which are connected by a landmark glass footbridge above and across the city’s Strand Road. Now, the Estates Team has been short-listed for the Outstanding Estates Team Category in the Times Education Supplement Further Education awards 2012.

The Estates team collaborated with academic staff and the Education Training Inspectorate to develop facilities which maximised the Colleges’ curriculum provision and student learning experiences. Locating Performing Arts and a large student social area together with Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy in immediate proximity has led to a Creative Arts oriented hub on the Strand Road site. Another key part of the development was the creation of a performance theatre on waste ground which has enhanced the range of performing spaces available.

The North West Regional College Estates Management Team comprises four staff, managing 58,000 square metres of mixed accommodation across three main centres at Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane. The team has been responsible for developing the College’s estate strategy allowing the College to consolidate provision by vacating a 5,000 square metres leased building and the disposal of another property, significantly reducing rental costs by 73%. This was during a time of major change to further education in Northern Ireland with 16 institutes reducing to six colleges.