LEADING multi-professional construction industry firm Pick Everard, has completed a £14.5 million refurbishment project at Loughborough College to provide students with a learning environment amongst the very best in further education.

The exciting scheme saw the college’s key teaching building, the multi-storey six-floor S-block and other buildings on campus dating back to the 1960s, remodelled to provide state-of-the-art facilities.

The refurbished facility also offers the very best in health and fitness, as well as providing beauty services and a modern restaurant and bar.

The renovation work involved stripping out and refurbishing the buildings to make them far more energy efficient. A new roof was also erected with replacement cladding installed to envelope the building.

The top three floors of the refurbished S-Block building will be dedicated to sixth form students at the college, whilst two of the floors will be science laboratories for chemistry, biology and physics.

The remaining floor will be for general teaching and accommodate staff rooms too.

Pick Everard was appointed for the scheme through the Scape Group National Framework for Project Management and Quantity Surveying in January 2015, with students and teachers being housed in temporary buildings before the completion.

National director, Adrian Ceney, from Pick Everard said: “The changes were critical as the dated buildings were in need of modernisation to ensure the college has the very best, state-of-the-art accommodation at the forefront of further education provision.

“The project has ensured that students and teachers alike have first class facilities.

“The development will certainly provide a further boost for Loughborough College and is sure to impress prospective students considering applying for a place at the college.”

Completion of the scheme follows a previous £15m project delivered by Pick Everard at the college’s Arts Academy and Hub which was opened in September 2014.

Pick Everard partner Alastair Hamilton said: “We were thrilled to be asked again by Loughborough College to deliver further works to their campus.

“We pride ourselves on the high level of repeat business we achieve and the consistent high standard of work we deliver through the Scape framework.

“Loughborough College’s students, staff and other stakeholders will be able to benefit from an inspiring learning environment not only now but for generations to come.”

Loughborough College vice principal Yiannis Koursis said: “The enhancement and expansion at Loughborough College will have a significant impact on our facilities, particularly for A-levels and service industries including hospitality, travel and aviation, hair and beauty and caring and public services.

“We are enjoying a growth in student numbers and taking a clear strategic direction to contribute to local skills and development and to wealth generation in the area. This refurbishment is building on that, transforming learning with the latest resources to help our students fulfil their potential for the future careers.

“This follows our brand new Arts Academy and Hub building which was officially opened by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, and includes a 250-seat theatre, music and recording studios, a dance studio, art and textile facilities and a photography studio and darkroom.”

Work at the S-Block was delivered in stages with the top three floors completed in September, 2015 and the remaining floors in October, 2015.