Work begins on University performing arts centre

The first sod was cut by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps, at a ceremony at the Walsall Campus on Tuesday, May 25 2010.

The centre, which will be known as The Performance Hub, will provide state of the art teaching and performance space for dance, drama and music students.

The ceremony was attended by senior members of University staff and representatives from Vinci Construction UK Limited, who will be carrying out the building work.

Professor Gipps said: “We are delighted to be starting work on the new Performance Hub, which will provide an excellent teaching and learning space for our students.”

The Performance Hub will house new teaching and rehearsal spaces for the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure. This will include performance areas, music rooms and staff offices. The four-storey building will also feature a new Learning Centre for the entire student body at Walsall.

The new centre will be built on the site of a former teaching tower and halls of residence, which has been demolished. An additional 50 car parking spaces will also be provided at the site.

Vinci Construction was awarded the contract to complete the development at the Gorway Road site and it is expected to be completed by July 2011.

The landmark performing arts centre is the latest development at the Walsall Campus. It follows on from a new Education and Teaching building, which opened in 2008.

The offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including dance, drama, music, sport and physical activity, leisure and tourism.

ENDS

Picture: Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of Finance, Garry Sproston, Vice Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps and Mike Voss, Regional Director of Vinci Construction UK Limited, at the sod cutting ceremony at the Walsall Campus.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736