Construction is due to get underway on a new library and education building at ATU’s Letterkenny campus.
The contract for the commencement of construction has been signed, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has announced.
The Letterkenny project, which will cost in the region of €25 million, is one five new buildings across multiple campuses which are being delivered by Public Private Partnership (PPP). The construction cost of the five buildings is approximately €380 million excluding VAT.
Welcoming the development, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue said: “I have been liaising with management at Donegal ATU and government to assist with its continuing development and expansion. The new build at ATU’s Letterkenny campus will consist of a library and various learning resource spaces, general and specialised teaching spaces, ICT laboratories, administration space and ancillary space.”
“There are a number of large-scale projects planned for Donegal ATU and I’m delighted to have received confirmation from Minister Lawless that the new education building is now at the construction stage. In conjunction with decanted space elsewhere on campus, the new building will increase capacity of ATU at Letterkenny by around 600 students,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy added.
“The ATU is at the centre of education in Donegal and the North West region. Along with increasing education opportunities, this project will also help the economic development of our county,” Minister McConalogue said.
The new build at ATU’s Letterkenny campus will have a strong focus on supporting practice-based learning, including laboratories, workshops and studios. They will also have significant flexibility to adapt to changing teaching and learning needs, and to support hybrid and remote learning.
“Donegal ATU has grown and evolved from Letterkenny Regional Technical College that opened in 1971 – it is a remarkable success story. Last year it was allocated €8.7 million under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for the Letterkenny Regional Sports and Activity Hub at Knocknamona, while the new veterinary college will be based on the same site.
“Plans are also at an advanced stage to secure a location in Letterkenny to deliver an apprenticeship programme in metal fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeships in September. This, again, will further boost the student numbers and make the local university another option for those finishing secondary school and those looking to change career paths,” the Donegal Minister of State added.
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