UCLan flagship reaches new milestone

The construction of the £60m student centre and civic square reaching its highest point was marked with a special topping out ceremony on the roof with representatives from UCLan and contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.

The exterior of the 16.5 metre tall being is made up of 450 tonnes of primed steel. Once completed it will house all UCLan student services including a new reception area, informal learning spaces, a student wellbeing centre.

The Civic Square will provide an outdoor events space for city and community use and will provide a greener environment on the previous Adelphi roundabout for students, staff and residents to enjoy, with hundreds of new trees being planted and a 50,000-strong bee colony housed on the roof of the Student Centre.

UCLan vice-chancellor Prof Graham Baldwin said: "A lot of staff, students and residents won’t have been able to spend time on campus recently to see the student centre construction rise. But we’ve been able to work safely throughout the lockdown so that the it can be open and ready to support students from next year."

He added: "In addition to the student centre construction, the highways work by Balfour Beatty continues to progress, and visitors to the site around the Adelphi roundabout can start to see the masterplan becoming a reality."

Bowmer + Kirkland Regional Director Neil Brook said: "We are delighted with the progress we have made, particularly during the challenges faced due to Covid-19.

"The Student Centre is the pinnacle of UCLan’s Masterplan development and we are honoured to be playing our part in that success.”

AECOM project director David Maiden added: "It’s fantastic to reach this milestone, particularly in the current restricted climate.

“B+K has very carefully considered and applied the guidance from the Government and the construction leadership councils for operating construction sites and their commitment to keep the project moving has been exemplary.

“We very much look forward to completion next year and to the facility having a significantly positive impact on the student experience at UCLan.”

AECOM project director David Maiden added: “It’s fantastic to reach this milestone, particularly in the current restricted climate.

The masterplan development also includes two already completed new student spaces, the OASIS multi-faith centre and the £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre on Corporation Street.