Harpurhey Baths gets a new lease of life
Construction work on the second phase of development at The Manchester College’s North Manchester Sixth Form College in Harpurhey began this week.
Principal Peter Tavernor announced: 'After a long period of delay, we are delighted that this £9 million development, which is being funded directly by The Manchester College, was given the green light by the Learning and Skills Council last week. We are excited about further enhancing learning opportunities for young people in North Manchester, as well as offering new facilities for the community.'
Restoration of historic building
The innovative plans for the campus, which is based at the junction of Moston Lane and Rochdale Road and already houses the highly successful North City Library, include the full restoration of Harpurhey Baths, the former Victorian public baths, which is a Grade Two Listed building. The baths, which have been closed for almost ten years, will be transformed into a modern performance and exhibition space for use by the whole community. The new development will also include new classrooms and a fitness suite for use by students, staff and the general public.
Local MP, Graham Stringer, has backed the project from the beginning. He said: 'As a school boy I swam in many swimming galas at Harpurhey Baths and therefore I am delighted that The Manchester College is bringing this much loved building back into use. It will allow the Sixth Form College to increase their numbers, which is excellent news for young people.'
Green agenda
North Manchester Sixth Form College in Harpurhey is already renowned for being an eco-friendly site, having won several environmental design awards for the first phase of the building which opened in 2005, including a Royal Institute of British Architecture and Learning and Skills Council award.
Existing environmental features on the campus feature solar panels and rain harvesting technology to maximise the building’s energy and utility efficiency. The college will continue to demonstrate this level of commitment to sustainability and the ‘green agenda’ within the second phase of development by using a high specification of insulation and building materials to make the best use of available technologies, whilst the designers have taken care to remain sensitive to the listed grading of the building.
The new developments will include additional glass walls fronting onto the communal garden to ensure a high level of natural daylight throughout the building, delivering a unique learning environment and enabling effective control of energy use.
In addition, the networking of building management controls into the college-wide building management system will deliver energy efficiencies in line with the college’s sustainability strategy.
The college’s gardens around the campus will also be further redeveloped, and members of the local community will be encouraged to get involved with gardening projects and planting.
Local councillors are delighted with the news. Harpurhey Councillor Paul Fairweather said: 'This latest development will provide even more opportunities for young people in our area to develop their skills and potential in a wide variety of different areas. The college is a world leader in developing green and sustainable buildings and this new development continues this tradition. It is also great news that local residents will be able to get involved in developing the college gardens and that the new buildings will be a resource for the whole community.'
Pictured (from left to right): Martin Boydell, Walker Simpson Architects; John Walker, Walker Simpson Architects; Michelle Richardson, Drivers Jonas (Project Managers); Mick Parker, Quarmby Construction; David Jones, MD Quarmby Construction; Peter Tavernor, Principal, The Manchester College; Graham Stringer MP; and Cllr Paul Fairweather.
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