Totty Construction makes the grade at college

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team May 22, 2006

Totty Construction has reached an important milestone on its 4.1 million pound project to extend Challenge College for client, Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Totty Construction has reached an important milestone on its £4.1 million project to extend Challenge College for client, Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

The company has now constructed the highest point of the development and carried out a traditional 'topping out' ceremony to commemorate this important phase of the project.

The new three-storey extensions - one to the front and one to the rear of the existing school - have been designed to blend seamlessly with the original building and features solar shading panels.

The new buildings will house an important range of additional facilities for the college including a new assembly hall, changing rooms, a new Post-16 study area and administrative offices.

Totty has carefully phased the project to enable a staggered occupation of the new facilities over the course of the scheme, as well as to help minimise potential disruption to staff and students.

A key element of the development will see the City Learning Centre within the College move to a new and extended facility at the front of the building.

The City Learning Centre is part of the Government's 'Excellence in Cities' initiative to improve education standards and skill levels, promoting employment opportunities and countering social exclusion.

Additional new facilities include a purpose built music suite, art rooms, three new ICT classrooms, as well as extra teaching rooms for science and humanities subjects.

Totty will also reconfigure parts of the existing school to enhance accessibility for disabled staff and pupils, including the installation of ramps, lifts and automated doors.

Externally, a new tennis court will be created and additional car parking space formed.

John Gittins, managing director of Totty Construction's Public division, commented: "With local authorities committed to improving and better equipping schools and colleges within the region, Totty's excellent education sector credentials have enabled the company to secure an increasing volume of high profile projects".

"Our expertise in developing a tailored programme for the College will enable efficient occupation of completed areas of the new buildings, and the project is on track for completion at the end of the year.".