Learning centre to be built on old pit site

Construction firm ISG has been named as the main contractor for a 2m Wakefield Council project for a learning centre for 14 to 19-year-olds on the former South Kirkby colliery site near Pontefract.

The learning centre will be the first phase of a regeneration project including a 64-acre business park, a waste management plant and green open space.

The new two-storey South East Learning Centre will house training and educational facilities for students across sectors as diverse as construction and beauty therapy.

The building will also feature an events room, community facilities, salon, workshops with a viewing gallery and a caf area.

It will also feature roof mounted photo voltaic cells which covert light into electricity.

John Gittins, ISG's regional managing director, said: "As part of the first phase of regeneration at the former South Kirkby Colliery site, the new South East Learning Centre will provide purpose-built teaching accommodation across a range of vocational courses.

"The development highlights Wakefield Council's commitment to enhancing regional 14-19 education provision, as well as its wider ambitions to redevelop the site and create new jobs by attracting businesses to the area, and also providing green public open space."

Cheryl Hobson, Wakefield Council's service director for Building Schools for the Future and children's commissioning, said: "This centre will make a real difference to the lives, education and aspirations of young people in the area. It is also important for the south east of the district as this forms part of wider regeneration of the area."