Member Article

New Liverpool Arts College building completed

Work has been completed on the first phase of a major new school project in Liverpool.

The St John Bosco Arts College in Croxteth, an 11,100 sq m, three-storey development, was undertaken by Regeneration Liverpool’s affiliate partner, Neptune Developments working with Sigma Inpartnership. VINCI Construction UK delivered the project.

The girl’s Catholic comprehensive school, which has 1,100 pupils, has a particular specialism in visual and performing arts. Specific attention to detail was therefore applied to the development of a new performance area, as well as state of the art drama and dance studios.

The new college was built beside the existing school. Work is now underway on site on the second stage of the project. This will cover the demolition of the old school and conference centre to make way for a new external play and sports area, along with parking facilities.

VINCI committed to employing local labour and maximising the opportunities for local firms. Approximately 65 per cent of local people were employed on site during stage one of construction and a similar proportion of contracts were let to local firms. Six site apprentices were also appointed on the scheme.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Pupils, staff and parents have been waiting a long time for the new school and I know they are absolutely delighted with it. It will ensure generations of local children will get a top class education.

“This is an exciting time for the Croxteth area as it enters a new era, with new leisure and shopping developments also in the pipeline and the nearby park being built alongside the River Allt.”

Matthew Townson, associate director of Sigma Inpartnership, said: “It is fantastic to see the new St John Bosco School up and running. Schools are the lifeblood of any community and an aspect of development that Regeneration Liverpool is very passionate about”.

Steve Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, said: “The completion of this landmark building marks an important stage in the regeneration of the Stonebridge area of Croxteth and is the first of a new wave of developments that will significantly improve the environment and opportunities for local people.

“The strength of this school has been the commitment and enthusiasm of both pupils and staff. We are glad to have been part of the delivery of a high quality building that meets the schools apirations and that will become a major asset to the local community.”

John Fowler, Project Manager for VINCI Construction UK, said: “The new building really addresses the specialist requirements of the college. We were delighted to provide the facilities that support the arts curriculum of the school, which will be enjoyed by both students

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .