A NEW state-of-the-art teaching and learning building at the College of West Anglia Cambridge Campus, Milton, has entered its final phase of development. Leading figures from the college, the board of governors and the construction project team R G Carter

A NEW state-of-the-art teaching and learning building at the College of West Anglia Cambridge Campus, Milton, has entered its final phase of development.

Leading figures from the college, the board of governors and the construction project team R G Carter gathered at the Cambridge campus on the 7th April to celebrate the topping out of its new 'Discovery' building.

The �3.1 million project involves construction of 680 square metres of the new Discovery building.

This attractive single storey building designed by Bond Bryan Architects Ltd, will provide open plan glass-walled common and teaching facilities and will house main reception, learning resource centre, IT suite, laboratory, cafeteria with "stand and surf" internet technology, video conferencing, vet nurse training facilities as well as a dog grooming studio, which will be open to the general public.

In addition, the existing Enterprise building will be refurbished and the two buildings will be linked with a new landscaped garden area providing a welcoming external social space.

Graham Rendall, Contract Manager for R G Carter, the main contractor, welcomed more than fifty guests to the ceremony and said: "We are delighted to have reached this important point of this significant construction project. We now look forward to reaching a successful conclusion."

The ceremony involved Principal David Pomfret positioning the last piece of the aluminium cladding to the roof, thus completing the green sedum roof structure. Robsons Choice local ale was then used to christen the building and ward off evil spirits.

David Pomfret said: "The new Discovery building will strengthen our current land-based provision, rated Outstanding by Ofsted and provide up to date teaching and learning facilities.

"The new campus will be more compact and better integrated with facilities closer together. In addition, the new building incorporates several sustainable features, which contribute towards the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) target rating of 'Excellent'.