Ballymena
Project Update
Heron Brothers Limited were appointed as the main contractor on the project in November 2021 and commenced on site in February 2022 commencing stage 1 demolition. Construction works commenced in August 2022.
Progress on the new Farm Lodge campus construction project has reached another significant milestone. Structural steelwork installation commenced on site in late January with initial phase and already is starting to transform the site. The frame comprises of approximately 1000 tonnes of steel and is expected to be substantially complete by the end of April 2023. At its highest point, the building will rise five storeys allowing staff and students to enjoy panoramic views to the east over the ECOS landscape towards Slemish in the distance.
The construction has been taken forward on a phased approach, with minimal decanting requirements to minimise disruption to students by continuing to use the existing buildings at Trostan Avenue and Farm Lodge throughout the construction. The supporting infrastructure works in terms of adjacent new link road road and network drainage are now in place to service the project upon completion.
The College and contractor continue to communicate site developments with local residents and stakeholders throughout the build. The new campus accommodation block remains on schedule to be in service for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
Ballymena Campus demolition and construction drone footage
March 2022
April 2022
May/June 2022
July 2022
August 2022
October 2022
November 2022
January 2023
February 2023
March 2023
April 2023
Project Outline
Our plans are for one campus for Ballymena with a new build on the existing Farm Lodge site, with the closure of Trostan Avenue and Lamont Building.
In the main building, the innovation zone will be a flexible area that can be adapted for a wide range of activities including cross curriculum project based learning, conferences and performances. The training restaurant and hair and beauty salons will, at set times, be open to the public to provide our students with the opportunity to train in a live environment. The new campus will have a stand-alone sports hall that can be available to be hired for external community activities.
