'More coding than coal' former mining college becomes innovation centre
"More code than coal and more minecraft than mining" - that was the declaration by a government minister at the grand opening of an innovation centre in a former mining college in South Yorkshire.
A glittering ceremony marked the re-opening of Barnsley College University Centre, where students can now study courses in engineering, construction and information technology.
The £16m project was part-funded by £2.3m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, administerd by Salix.
The event was attended by MPs Dan Jarvis, secretary of state for security, and Dr Marie Tidball, whose father was one of the college's original founders.
“It’s the most sustainable building in our estate and our gas systems have been decommissioned, so we're fully de-fossilised," said Paul Langton, the college's director of estates.
"There's no gas in this building any more, let alone coal as it would've been originally, so it's all as low carbon as possible," said Barnsley College CEO, David Akeroyd.
"I think sustainability is vital and we all can see the change in the climate, so it's really important that we do our part to educate young people and the next generation on how that's important to the future of the world," he added.
"This is a wonderful place to be in and learn," said the area's MP, Dan Jarvis.
"Also, very importantly, it creates very good, skilled, well-paid jobs whilst at the same time keeping bills low," Mr Jarvis said.
"So, this stands as a very good example of the importance of sustainability. I’m really grateful for all of the creative and innovative work that’s gone into it.”
Pictured, from left: Labour MP Dan Jarvis, chair of governors Marie Lang, Barnsley College Principal and CEO David Akeroyd, Barnsley Council CEO Sarah Norman, Labour MP Dr Marie Tidball. Image credit: Barnsley College.
“A word that’s been used throughout today and by visitors who’ve been on tours over the last few weeks is wow," said Paul Langton, director of capital projects at Barnsley College.
"We worked closely with the Salix team and the decarbonisation funding has been a key component of being able to deliver this project," he added.
"We’ve insulated the walls and the roof, we’ve provided secondary glazing as well as a very high efficiency VRF heating and cooling system - that can transfer hot air to cold spaces and cooler air into spaces that are too hot.
"Our gas systems have been decommissioned so we’re fully de-fossilised, we’re using no fossil fuel in this building and we are fully electrified and energy efficient.
“It's one of our oldest buildings at 93 years old, but is now at the top of our 19 properties as our most sustainable and energy efficient building, which is quite an achievement."
My dad helped set up Barnsley College, so to come back and see this incredible building being opened makes me immensely proud.
“This place is really special to me," explained Dr Marie Tidball, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge. "When I was growing up here my dad worked for the local education authority and was one of the people that helped set up Barnsley College and I remember the hours that he used to toil in the office upstairs at home doing that.
"Then from 1990-93 he was the vice-principle of the college, so to come back as the Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge and see this incredible building being opened today makes me immensely, immensely proud.
"The building is a reflection of the investment in those children and young people's education. So, seeing a building as awe-inspiring as this demonstrates to young people in Barnsley: you matter, your skills journey matters."
