Published: Thursday, 2nd October, 2008 12:30
College plans are hit by a £2.5m funding shortfall
By Amanda Keenan
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PLANS for a “visionary” new college in Barrhead are having to be revised - because of a £2.5million funding shortfall.
Backers of the proposed East Renfrewshire College in the town have blamed inflation after the total cost of the project rose to a staggering £14.5m.
The college, viewed as a vital part of the town’s £113m regeneration, aims to offer vocational courses to more than 3500 school-leavers and mature students.
It will also act as a business start-up centre and deliver adult literacy and numeracy learning programmes.
Reid Kerr, Cardonald and Langside colleges have agreed to back the project and are finalising the curriculum.
Councillor Tony Buchanan, convener for economic development and regeneration, said: “Inflation has had an effect on the revised costs associated with the project. We are revisiting the design proposals and costs in an effort to bring down the final funding gap of £2.5m.
“Efforts are also now being made to explore other areas of external financial assistance.
“This is an innovative and exciting project which is at the heart of the council’s ambitious Barrhead regeneration plans.”
The Scottish Funding Council have pledged £3m to the final cost, which has risen from £13.4m to £14.5m.
The council’s application states: “The building will be flexible, multi functional and maximise its hours of use to meet the demands of a 21st century sustainable community building.
“The new college is designed to meet the needs of a visionary approach to learning that combines vocational and academic further education with community learning.”
East Renfrewshire and East Lothian are the only council areas in Scotland without a college.
Original architect designs featured the college with a public library, a learning service base, a creche and a family centre, on a site beside the council’s headquarters in Main Street.
A range of backers are funding a 10-year masterplan to revive Barrhead with a new supermarket, college, train station, affordable homes and an £18m health centre.
East Renfrewshire council has allocated around £10m for the plan.
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