Preston-based Eric Wright Construction, a division of the Eric Wright Group, has delivered the second phase of a redevelopment project to form a combined secondary and primary school at St Mary's Catholic College in Blackpool.
In a bid to modernise the school, a phased demolition and refurbishment of the existing school has taken place, costing £22.8m, in order to accommodate a new 1,220 place secondary school and sixth form.
The changes to the secondary school will give students access to new facilities including cutting edge science and computer labs, 40 contemporary classrooms and a brand new fitness suite equipped with stateof- the-art exercise machines. The new sixth form learning house, open to pupils on 4 September 2013, also offers ultra-modern facilities with the introduction of a communal area with quiet spaces for study alongside a separate learning resource centre.
Designed and commissioned by Nightingale Associates, the school has been created with innovation and technology in mind. The new buildings feature light and spacious classrooms, each decorated with fun vibrant colours, providing a creative and inspirational learning environment.
As part of the Blackpool Building Schools for the Future scheme, the secondary school has high hopes to raise the standard of education across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, boosting the area's economic prosperity and creating opportunities for young people in the future. The final phase of the project will involve moving Christ the King Primary School and Christ the King Parish Church onto the site, work which is expected to complete in summer 2014.
John Wilson, managing director of Eric Wright Construction said: "We are really proud to have successfully delivered the second phase of this project. The new facilities have added an updated, modern look to the buildings and we are sure that this redevelopment has helped to contribute
to the future regeneration of Blackpool."
Stephen Tierney, headteacher at St Mary's Catholic College, said: "It's been great working with Eric Wright Construction on this ongoing project. Having their professional knowledge and experience behind the project has been invaluable and the result is stunning."
"The quality of work completed has been fantastic and I am confident that the students will enjoy everything about their new learning environment. "I believe all pupils across the college will benefit from our new high-tech facilities and extra capacity, helping to enhance the levels of teaching and learning at our school."