Pictured above: Students from Longslade Community
College join Charles Palmer-Tomkinson, centre, to officially launch
the construction of the new Post 16 Centre
A ceremony has taken place to celebrate commencement of works at
the new £4.8 million Palmer-Tomkinson Centre on the site of
the Longslade Community College.
The major new state-of-the-art Post 16 Centre at the College's
Wanlip Lane site is being built by Willmott Dixon Construction, and
once finished will also offer cultural, community and leisure
facilities for the Birstall and South Charnwood areas of
Leicestershire.
Local landowner, Charles Palmer-Tomkinson, who donated £1
million towards the multi-purpose centre, formally cut the first
turf during the event which was also attended by Conservative MP
for Charnwood, Stephen Dorrell and representatives from the County
and District Council.
Willmott Dixon's Les Henson commented: "We are honoured to
be involved with a project which will no doubt alter the lives of
not just the students who learn here, but the community as a whole.
This turf cutting has been a very special occasion for all
concerned and we are sure that by continuing to build our
relationships with the college and the local residents, there will
be many more celebrations to come."
Liz Hall, headteacher from Longslade Community College added:
"This is a marvellous and exciting project which will provide
fantastic facilities for our community and the College. We
are very grateful to Charles Palmer- Tomkinson for his generous
donation and to the YPLA for their support for this new
building."
The project, which coincides with the College's 50th Anniversary
year, is expected to take 42 weeks to complete, and will include a
multi- purpose hall and performance space which can seat up to 240
people in tiered seats and will have standing room for a further
100 around a gallery.