LJMU secured planning consent for the project late last year which will see the creation of a ‘Student Life’ building and sports building. Tony McDonough reports
Construction giant Morgan Sindall has signed a deal with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to be the main contractor on the £64m Copperas Hill scheme with work to begin immediately.
LJMU secured planning consent for the project late last year which is planned for the site of what was Liverpool’s main postal sorting office and will now be transformed into a ‘Student Life’ building and sports building.
Rising to five storeys, the Student Life building will provide a range of student-facing services, including advice and wellbeing services, careers advice, international exchanges, an area for individual and group study, and the Students’ Union (JMSU) and general teaching spaces.
The two-storey sports building will include facilities such as an eight-court sports hall, two multi-purpose halls and a state-of-the-art gym.
Key gateway
The three-and-a-half acre development will regenerate a key gateway site in the heart of the city centre and was granted planning permission in October. Morgan Sindall Construction has already carried out initial enabling works on the site, with the main construction work set to begin immediately.
The development will also create attractive public open spaces, which will benefit the local community as well as students and staff. Construction work is scheduled for completion in 2020.
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Mark Power, LJMU’s interim vice-chancellor and chief executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see this exciting new development moving ahead. The new Sports Building and Student Life Building will be superb additions to our facilities here at LJMU.
“The work will drive forward the regeneration of this key gateway site and completely transform the public realm and open spaces. This commitment to our community, the city and the wider city region reflects our vision of LJMU as a pioneering modern civic university.”
Huge honour
Barry Roberts, Morgan Sindall Construction’s managing director for the North West, added: “It’s a huge honour for us to deliver the Copperas Hill development on behalf of LJMU. When complete, the Student Life and Sports Buildings will provide exceptional facilities to students while also creating new public realm that will transform a key gateway to the city centre.
“This appointment, combined with our ongoing work at the Knowledge Quarter, confirms Morgan Sindall Construction’s status as key player in in delivering schemes that will further enhance Liverpool’s already renowned reputation as a brilliant city.”
The project was procured through the Pagabo Major Works framework.