The University of Cambridge and Wates, one of the UK's largest, privately-owned construction companies, welcomed Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to a 'boxing out' ceremony today (12 May). The ceremony, to complete the frames of the buildings, marked the completion of phase one of the developments that will accommodate the Faculty of English and Institute of Criminology on the Sidgwick site, the University’s main Arts and Humanities campus.
The University of Cambridge and Wates, one of the UK's largest, privately-owned construction companies, welcomed Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to a 'boxing out' ceremony today (12 May). The ceremony, to complete the frames of the buildings, marked the completion of phase one of the developments that will accommodate the Faculty of English and Institute of Criminology on the Sidgwick site, the University’s main Arts and Humanities campus.
The University is spending £20 million on the developments set for completion in May 2004. The new buildings will provide space to cater for the increasing student intakes and changes in methods of teaching, providing space for seminar rooms, a drama studio, a large library and resource centre, common rooms, conference rooms, and postgraduate and research workspaces. The new facilities will provide thriving research venues as undergraduates, postgraduates and academic staff, currently spread around Cambridge, will be housed in the one building.
The site also stimulated the interest for archaeologists when excavation for the basement foundations exposed the footprint of a Saxon village.
David Adamson, Director of Estate Management & Building Service for the University said:
"We are very pleased to welcome the Chief Secretary back to the University after he kindly performed the opening of our Computer Laboratory last year. Mr Boateng is no stranger to higher education and he has a broad depth of knowledge and understanding of the need to develop our estate."
Chris Mardell, Wates Director, Cambridge said:
"Wates are delighted to be working with the University of Cambridge on another project. Again, it demonstrates our ability to work flexibly in accordance with our customers needs and illustrates our commitment to establish long-term relationships with our customers."
The 'Boxing Out' ceremony took the form of Mr Boateng, finishing the concrete frames of the buildings by shovelling concrete into a small gap left in them. He was then presented with an engraved silver trowel as a momento of his visit to the site.
The project team included architects Allies & Morrison, Faithful and Gould London (quantity surveyor) and Whitby Bird and Partners (engineers).
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