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Topping Out A Top Class Building - New Ayr Campus Moves Closer To Completion

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N43
Published: 10 Jun 2010

The new £70 million Ayr Campus built for University of the West of Scotland and SAC has entered the final phase of development, with a topping out ceremony that took place at the new campus site on 4 June 2010.

Professor Bill McKelvey, Principal of SAC, said:

"This marks another major step forward for SAC. The outstanding campus being built here in Ayr will help us offer future entrants to the land-based industries of Ayrshire and Scotland an education suited to the challenges of the 21st century. It underpins our commitment to thriving rural communities and a healthy environment."

The ceremony marked the structural completion of the new 18,000m2 campus by project contractor Bovis Lend Lease UK. The campus, which is situated on the Craigie Estate, next to the River Ayr, is being developed by University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in partnership with SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) which is investing £9 million in the new facilities.

Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland, said:

"We are delighted that our new Ayr campus, which will result in massive benefits not just for the university but the west of Scotland, is in the final phase of development. This unique campus facility will enable us to expand our course provision and develop an international dimension to our operations in Ayr, with a campus that will attract students from across the globe."

Planned and designed by leading Scottish-based architects RMJM, and part-funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the development will see SAC joining UWS on the site. Shared facilities will include teaching and learning spaces, gym, refectory, library and computing labs.

Developed in consultation with the Natural Garden Society, Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the new campus will provide Ayrshire with one of the UK's most modern, environmentally-friendly and sustainable higher education learning environments.

The new building is designed to the highest environmental rating – BREEAM Excellent (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) – adopting sustainable strategies within the design and operation of the new building.

Mark Batho, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: "I am pleased to see that our funding has enabled the university to enter the final phase of building a stimulating, state-of-the-art campus with excellent modern facilities. This is also a great example of collaboration between the university and the Scottish Agricultural College and I am sure that the new facilities will be of great benefit not just to their students and staff but to the community and wider area."

South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan said: "I was very honoured to be asked to take part in this significant ceremony.  The topping out ceremony will become an historic moment in the life of University of the West of Scotland’s new Ayr Campus. I am positive that having such an environmentally-friendly building, with up-to-the-minute facilities located in such pleasant surroundings will encourage increased numbers of students to apply to study there.  In turn, many of these students may decide once they graduate to live and work in Ayr or South Ayrshire, which will bring economic benefits to the area."

The new campus is scheduled for opening in September 2011.

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SAC Contact

Mr Clive Richardson
Property and Estates Group Manager
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4330
MobileWork 07901 578958
Fax 0131 535 4334

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