This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New facilities at Motherwell College
23/04/2004
A new sport suite and drama studio have been opened at Motherwell College. The new facilities will bring all of the College's teaching in these areas into one high quality, purpose built venue. Previously teaching was spread across a number of buildings in the Motherwell area.
Speaking at the College, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Students deserve to learn in the best possible environment. They deserve to learn in modern buildings, using facilities that reflect the realities of the world of work. Motherwell College have recognised this. The new studio and fitness suite are an investment in the future careers of their students. It is an investment that will pay dividends."
The new sport suite and drama studio represents an important part of Motherwell College's ongoing commitment to provide high quality further education and lifelong learning opportunities to the students and communities it serves. The facility allows access for all, not only by being Disability Discrimination Act compliant, but by encouraging a wide range of students to become involved in activities that will provide long term benefits through fitness, teambuilding and self-confidence.
The facility, which was funded by capital grant from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) and European Regional Development Fund and which cost approximately £120k, allows two curriculum areas to work in harmony with each other in a bright teaching complex. The drama space doubles as a teaching studio and a small performance venue, whilst the sports suite is on a par with a commercial fitness suite.
The Scottish Executive is committed to the vision of a first class learning environment for all students in FE colleges. In 2004-05 the Executive will make available £37m to SFEFC for estates purposes, building substantially on the £20m made available in 2003-04. SFEFC will work closely with the colleges to identify estates requirements, based on the colleges' estates strategies.
SFEFC has agreed to make Greater Glasgow and the West of Scotland its top priority for capital investment.