On Friday 15 June, Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC) and its construction partner, ISG, marked a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Twickenham college site with a ground breaking ceremony.

The ceremony celebrated the beginning of construction of the phase 1 building, a major part of RuTC’s new £80 million world class state of the art campus.

Over 70 people attended the event which was hosted by Robin Ghurbhurun, Principal and CEO of RuTC, Richard White, Project Director for ISG. Will Whitmore, RuTC construction crafts apprentice, was given the responsibility to officially break ground and mark the start of the building project.

Robin Ghurbhurun, said, “I’m delighted that we have now started the first phase of the new college campus. We’re working with regional and national employers and partners on this project and the building will be approx. 15,000 square metres, 5 stories and 20 metres in height”. He added, “I would like to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us and for your commitment and expertise in helping create, what will truly become, a world class post-16 centre of excellence”.

ISG Project Director, Richard White, added, “ISG is excited to be involved in the project which will be an inspirational development for many years to come”.

Barbara Gilgallon, Chair of RuTC governing body, said, “The breaking ground ceremony is symbolic for us in a crucial way. It is the start of a journey that represents a physical manifestation of what we truly believe to be a truly groundbreaking exercise. The new building with provide a state of the art facility responsive to the demand of a new style of teaching and learning suited to the modern world”.

Sir Vince Cable, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Twickenham and strong supporter of further education thanked everybody who had “helped steer a very tricky project through to the breaking ground stage. He acknowledged that in many ways the start of the new building was a great triumph for adversity, with many real challenges to the FE sector, and that he was delighted that Robin Ghurbhurun has been able to steer this project to completion”.

Other guests included staff and governors from RuTC, ISG personnel representatives from key organisations and partners that are involved in this major project which will benefit the local and regional community for many years to come.

The phase 1 building is due for completion at the end of 2019 and will provide an exciting and innovative new learning environment within the ground of the current college site. Around 3,000 students, employers, along with public and local community will be able to take advantage of the wide range of fantastic facilities that will be housed within the new building, these include TV studio, theatre, 3D prototyping FabLab, art gallery, 60 cover silver service Chef’s Academy with views over Twickenham, business incubation spaces, spa and wellness centre, sports centre and digital golf studio.

Whilst construction of the new building takes place, the college continues as business as usual with minimum disruption to current students who continue to receive excellent teaching and training in the original college buildings.

The redevelopment of the whole 22 acre site is a partnership between Richmond upon Thames College, Haymarket Media Group, Harlequins, Clarendon School, and Richmond Council.