Work on a new £2.4 million creative industries centre at a north Wales university which will be used to train the future workforce is nearing completion.
The start-of-the-art building at Glyndŵr University, Wrexham, which will bring together the different disciplines associated with the creative industries, is due to open in Spring 2011.
It will contain a host of new TV, radio and production suites and will become the new home of BBC Cymru Wales in north east Wales.
It is hoped that by bringing together disciplines allied to the creative industries, such as art and design, computing, theatre and performance and the humanities, the centre will provide innovative solutions to commercial problems as well as contributing to the growth of the creative industries in North East Wales.
Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “The Creative Industries building marks another exciting step for the University and its continued expansion.
“The creative industries are estimated to be worth as much as £85 billion to the UK economy by 2013 and the University will be in an outstanding position to contribute to this through this new centre once it is completed.
“The opening of the BBC’s new facilities at the building also heralds yet another significant landmark in the university’s work with partners in industry. The presence of the BBC within the centre is a stamp of approval for the high standard of its TV, radio and online production facilities which will benefit not only our students but the people of north east Wales for years to come.
“In keeping with our vision, through the centre we will be able to provide highly-skilled graduates who are ready for industry and graduates who will be highly valuable to the economy of north east Wales – whether their area of expertise is art, broadcasting or computer game development.”
The new facility will also be a sustainable building for the 21st century, featuring an innovative green roof which will collect rainwater which will be recycled into the building’s toilet supply – delivering 40 per cent of its water needs.
The sustainable green roof is one of a host of energy-saving features included in the new building by Wrexham-based Lawray Architects, who were awarded the contract for design of the centre in May 2009.
The use of 24 photovoltaic panels reflects the university’s commitment to research within the field of solar energy at its Centre for Solar Energy Research in St Asaph, and the building has been designed so that there is no water pollution onto adjacent land.
A VDU at the building’s main reception will tell visitors how much energy the centre is using at any given time. And the building is designed to be flexible and adaptable.
Keith Harwood, director at Lawray Architects, said: “The building should be performing just as well in 2031 as it will be in 2011.”
The construction work itself has been completed by ISG. Jim Parker, ISG’s regional director, commented: "The creative industries building is set to become a landmark development for the University, both in terms of overall sustainability and the quality and range of new facilities on offer to students.
“Glyndŵr University has built up a great reputation for attracting high calibre students and undoubtedly this new building will play a key role in establishing the University as a true centre for excellence within the creative industries’ sector.”