Pictured above: (l-r) David Soutter (Coventry University) Lord Mayor, Cllr. Jack Harrison, Richard Dakin (BAM) Rob Wilson and Liah Maccallum (Student's Union, Coventry University)

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Jack Harrison was the guest of honour to oversee the burial of a time capsule at the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday 18 May to commence work on the new Students Building at Coventry University.

The building, which will be built by BAM Construction, has been designed by Hawkins Brown. It is going to be an impressive landmark which rises from two to four storeys high and faces on to University Square.

The new heart of the University will provide top class facilities for students and be the new home for the Student's Union.

David Soutter, the Pro-Vice Chancellor at Coventry University responsible for the project said: "This is an important milestone for the University and a major part of a joint operation with the City Council for the redevelopment of the city. We are delighted that BAM Construction is on board to bring the physical form to our vision. I am sure they will give us the building we hope for."

The new Students Building is part of a £160m redevelopment of the campus which also includes a new home for the Faculty of Engineering and Computing on the former site of the Gulson Road hospital and a new multi-storey car park.

Richard Dakin, Director of BAM, Midlands, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project. We are a local and national company and look forward to having a close working experience with the Student's Union to deliver the kind of building they need."

 As well as being the home for the Student's Union, the building will provide a performance venue, retail space, a health and well-being centre, student counselling, a faith centre and an informal learning space.

 The President of the Student's Union, Rob Wilson thanked the University for the investment and said that he was sure the new building will make a great impression on future students.

At present, there is no true centre to the student experience so the need for a visible, centrally-based, student-centred facility was a priority for the expansion plan.

The new building will provide a large indoor space with the additional benefits of a prominent street front location.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Jack Harrison features in the contents of the time capsule which has been buried on site.

He said: "I am delighted to be part of this initiative. The City of Coventry is extremely proud of what Coventry University has achieved and is continuing to achieve and I am sure that future students will be enjoy the wonderful facilities. I am also flattered that a photograph of me at one of my many visits to the University over the last year has been included in time capsule."

The Students Building will be fully operational by the autumn of 2011.

For more information about Coventry University please visit their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk