A new Erne Campus at South West College in Enniskillen was officially opened on Wednesday.
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons attended the event to open the 8,200 square meter campus, which was opened to students from the beginning of September.
The state-of-the-art facility will be able to accommodate 2,800 students and 120 staff at the college. The Campus prides itself on being one of the ‘world’s most sustainable educational buildings’.
Speaking on the opening of the campus, Minister Lyons said it was the first building in the UK to secure world-class sustainability accreditations.
“I am delighted to be able to officially open this fantastic new educational facility for South West College,” he said.
“The new complex is a superb example of what we can achieve in Northern Ireland and will provide a high quality educational environment for learners for many years to come.
“The building has secured world-class sustainability accreditations, the first in the UK to do so, and the college will capitalise on this by delivering a series of innovative and complementary learning and skills programmes, including wind, biomass, sustainable construction, hydrogen, energy storage and sustainable food.”
A number of new facilities will be available at the new building, including a high-end cyber centre, a learning resource centre with the latest equipment as well as a number of labs, computer suites and high spec suites for hospitality and hairdressing and beauty.
South West College chief executive Michael McAlister said the opening of the campus in Co Fermanagh is the result of a ‘long standing vision’ for the facility.
“We are delighted to officially open the doors to the Erne Campus. A long-standing vision has been achieved today with the opening of this fantastic building which has been designed with the needs of our students, community and industry partners firmly in mind.
“Our talented and committed staff have helped bring this project to life and they are central to the education and training opportunities we offer our students.
“Today is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the efforts of all those who have been involved with the development of the Erne Campus, from the earliest planning stages through to the construction and furnishing of the building itself, which is unrivalled globally in terms of its design and sustainability credentials.”
