A £37m project to build Coventry University’s flagship new Science and Health Building is underway following the ground breaking ceremony.

The two-year project will consolidate the Faculty of Health and Life Science’s existing teaching and research facilities into a new building in Coventry city centre.

The lab will accommodate up to 240 students for teaching and research in biological and analytical sciences. The site will also include a running track, sports therapy clinic and facilities for food and environmental sciences.

The five-storey, 120,000 sq ft building on Much Park Street will link to the existing Coventry University Sports Centre in White Friars Street. A separate two-storey energy centre will be constructed to power the Science and Health Building.

-- Advertisement --

The ground breaking event was attended yesterday by Coventry University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Latham, and Professor Guy Daly, Executive Dean of Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

"The new Science and Health Building is the second most important single building project after the Engineering and Computing Building that has been undertaken by Coventry University since full university status was attained in 1992," said Professor John Latham, Coventry University Vice-Chancellor. "It will provide world-class teaching and research facilities that befit our status of Modern University of the Year, and will equip our health and life science students with highly-advanced skills to enable them to excel into the workplace."

The total cost of constructing and equipping the build is expected to be in excess of £60m, with work expected to be completed in 2017.

£4.9m has been awarded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

BAM Construction was awarded the contract to build the new facility in January. BAM was represented at the ground breaking event by Regional Director Rod Stiles, Construction Manager Steve Roome and Project Manager Alan Bell.

(IT)