WIT building projects get go-ahead

PROGRESS is expected within the next six months on three building projects as part of Waterford Institute of Technology’s campus development.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin confirmed that the pre-procurement stage for the contracts is to get under way by summer — news welcomed by WIT director Professor Kieran R Byrne.

A new engineering and science building, an architecture building and an extension to the business and enterprise buildings are planned in the next phase of development at the institute, where a tourism and hospitality building is being completed on the main Cork road campus.

Ms Hanafin said the progression of the projects will see consortiums contracted to design, build, finance and operate each of the developments over a 25-year period as part of the Government’s €270 million third-level institutions public-private partnership programme.

The building projects will, she said, deliver enhanced facilities in the key strategic areas of engineering, ICT, science and technology, catering, tourism and the arts.

The Waterford projects will be procured for the Department of Education and Science by the National Development Finance Agency.

Welcoming the movement on the projects, Prof Byrne said they will allow the institute to further strengthen its accommodation for students and staff alike.

“We have added an average of one additional high-quality building to our campuses at the Cork road and Carriganore over the last six years and look forward to rolling out the next phase of our programme,” he said.

“If we are to continue to attract the brightest and best people to study and work here then it is obviously important that we provide the best possible learning and research environment. The public-private partnership approach may have its detractors but if it allows us deliver important educational infrastructure more quickly than would otherwise be the case, then students will be the big winners.”