Progress on the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) flagship Masterplan development has been revealed in a new timelapse video which shows the scale of the £60million Student Centre and Civic Square for the first time.
Main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has been working throughout the pandemic under restrictions of social distancing measures for all employees. Now their work can be seen, with the Student Centre’s 450 tonnes of primed steelwork erected reaching 16.5 metres and the special feature timber staircase and cross-laminated timber flooring also on show.
The steel framed centre will accommodate all UCLan student services from 2021, including a new reception area, informal learning spaces and a student wellbeing centre, while the Civic Square will provide an outdoor events space for city and community use.
Once completed, the development will also create a greener environment on the previous Adelphi roundabout for students, staff and residents to enjoy, with over 300 new trees being planted and a 50,000-strong bee colony on the roof of the Student Centre.
Michael Ahern, UCLan’s Chief Information and Infrastructure Officer said: “Our vision is starting to become a reality and it’s exciting to see these world-class facilities taking shape. Our next priority is to ensure the Student Centre is watertight, install the huge glass frontage and then focus our activities on the development of the Civic Square.”
The £200million Masterplan development also includes previously completed buildings of two new student spaces, the OASIS multi-faith centre and the £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre on Corporation Street.
