ISG to develop former UCA campus

A £12 million contract to redevelop MidKent College’s centre for higher-level skills has been won by the international construction services company ISG.

An artist's impression of phase two of the Maidstone Campus redevelopment

The former University for the Creative Arts building in Maidstone will now be completely transformed and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities fit for the 21st century.

Included in the upgrade will be advanced construction and engineering workshops, art studios and a creative media suite, as well as training kitchens, a restaurant and bar.

Building work has already begun and is due to be complete by July 2015.

MidKent College principal Sue McLeod said: “ISG’s record of delivering high quality results around the world speaks for itself, and we are confident they will meet our high expectations for this exciting project.

“Having recently invested more than £100 million in our Medway and Maidstone campuses, it was only natural that the centre for higher-level skills would be next to benefit.

“We are dedicated to providing a realistic alternative to university and are confident the courses taught at the centre will help provide the advanced skills many employers are looking for.”

The refurbishment of the former UCA building is phase two of the wider redevelopment of the College’s Maidstone Campus, which has already benefited from just over £20m of investment.

Phase three will involve the building of a new commercial sports centre, also due in 2015, which will be partly staffed by students.

Alan McCarthy-Wyper, managing director of ISG’s construction business, said: “I’m delighted that ISG provided a compelling case to successfully translate MidKent College’s vision for these new state-of-the-art teaching facilities.

“Our strong sector-specific credentials and major project capability proved important factors in our appointment and we are now working closely with the College to deliver the latest phase in the Maidstone Campus redevelopment.”

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For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.