Wilson visits college construction site

Continued investment in our young people is paramount if we are to improve and enhance our economy, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has said.

He was speaking during a visit to the construction site at the Northern Regional College(NRC), Newtownabbey where he was given a tour of an £8.4million construction project to provide new and improved teaching and ancillary facilities.

The design and build construction project is being led by the family managed construction firm of H&J Martin Limited. Key elements of accommodation include a new heavy motor vehicle workshop, a new skills centre, refurbishment of existing workshops and a new student social area and dining facility. The accommodation will be serviced by a new highly efficient biomass heating system, fuelled by locally sourced and sustainable wood pellets.

The Minister congratulated NRC for its vision and the design and build team for its contribution to the delivery of this exciting project.

Mr Wilson said: “Continued investment in our young people is paramount if we are to improve and enhance our economy. This is an exciting project that will develop the learning and the social interaction for those attending the campus.

"The Executive is continuing to deliver key projects such as this under its Investment Strategy. Planned capital investment for 2009-10 is expected to be at a similar level to 2008-09. The Executive has committed record levels of capital investment in recent years. For example, in 2008-2009, we increased gross capital spend from £1.4billion to £1.7billion, which equates to almost £1million of additional net spend every day.

"This unprecedented level of expenditure has helped our construction industry through what have been very difficult times. It is particularly encouraging to see local firms and their supply chains involved in this important project.”

Construction work is scheduled for completion in September 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
2. Photos are available upon request by contacting the DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7378.
3. The integrated supply team for this design and build project comprises H&J Martin Ltd; J D McKeown, Sharpe Mechanical Services, Kennedy Fitzgerald and Associates, Taylor and Boyd and Williams and Shaw Ltd.