THE first stage of transforming a historic Barnsley College building into a regional centre of world-class technical education has been completed.
The South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT) - one of 21 IoTs nationally - will see one of its key facilities fully renovated to house the venue in the college’s University Centre on Church Street in Barnsley town centre.
The landmark art deco building - formerly Barnsley Mining and Technical College - will be sensitively transformed into a modern, facility to retain and enhance the classic architecture inside and out.
Funding for the project is a combination of Department for Education (DfE) regional investment, and college capital funds.
The college was also successful with a Salix decarbonisation capital bid for sustainability upgrades throughout the building.
When complete, the Church Street building will be one of the most sustainable properties on the college estate.
These extensive sustainability measures will ensure the building is developed in line with Barnsley Council’s decarbonisation plans for its Zero 45 ambitions.
The state-of-the-art technology hub will be used for subjects in engineering, construction and IT/digital.
The heart of the project is the new atrium, and a combination of learning resource and study zones set over three new mezzanine floors with a new glazed roof above and a modern café and breakout area at ground floor level.
Work is already well underway, starting with demolition and strip-out works, and then structural steelworks and the introduction of the staircase and mezzanine flooring completed to date.
Barnsley College principal and chief executive, David Akeroyd, said: “This is an exciting time for the college and all our partners involved in the South Yorkshire IoT - as we look ahead to a future in which our hard work has led to increased opportunities for retraining and upskilling, more accessible and higher-quality jobs, and a productive workforce who are skilled in the right areas.
“It’s particularly special for us that this important IoT site will be right here in the centre of Barnsley.
“This is really strong proof that our college continues to go from strength to strength as an educational standard-bearer for the region.”
Originally the Barnsley Mining and Technical College, the Church Street building cost a total of £110,012 to build and furnish in 1932.
The building’s historic architecture is to be retained and enhanced throughout the project.
GF Tomlinson are the main contractor for the project and construction commenced in May.
Adrian Grocock, managing director at GF Tomlinson, added: “This state-of-the-art facility will provide students at Barnsley College with a first-class, modern learning environment, whilst breathing new life into a well-known historical building in the heart of the town.
“We look forward to turning Barnsley College’s vision into reality, transforming the site into one of their most sustainable campuses and delivering a world class technical education centre the whole region can be proud of.”
