College has approved Phase 2 of the Beit redevelopment project, contributing a total of £1.93m to the project. Part of this is money left over from Phase 1, which came in under budget. The Union will be picking up the rest of the £3.3m cost, of which £800k has come from the Harlington and IC Trusts. £196k will be committed from the Union reserve funds, however the project includes a pot of contingency money in the case of over-runs.
Phase 2 will see changes to student activities provision, adding a mezzanine level to the gym to house a new student activities centre. Meeting rooms will move to the East Wing basement, while the existing rooms at the top of the building will be converted into a replacement gym. The space under the mezzanine level was originally destined to become a replacement games room, however it now looks likely to remain empty to provide space flexibility when the next phase goes ahead.
Building services will also be improved as part of this phase, with the electrical wiring in particular in urgent need of complete replacement. As detailed in Monday’s environmental paper to Council, the second phase will also see a number of energy saving improvements including improved insulation, better lighting controls, an improved building management system and additional double glazing.
Work is expected to start towards the end of the spring term, with work completed in early 2009.
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