Oaklands College £62 million redevelopment ploughs on

ST ALBANS — Despite the lockdown, the first phase of the five-year redevelopment of Oaklands College is on target and will be ready for students in September. Willmott Dixon have helped ensure the project will be delivered on time by successfully adhering to social distancing rules with all their workers. 

If you’ve driven, walked or cycled past the St Albans Campus on Hatfield Road over the last few months, you can’t help but notice the large amount of building work happening. The first phase, which is the sustainable Homestead residential block with the 81 en-suite bedrooms, communal rooms, kitchens and outdoor recreational area stand impressively on the west side of campus. This will be available predominantly for students in the Wolves Sports Academies who travel from all over the UK to join the elite programmes and study at the college.

Phase 2 of the redevelopment is set to begin shortly and will be focussed on providing a brand new General teaching block, containing 49 new classrooms, offices for curriculum staff and house our Pathway 4 special needs provision.

Principal Zoe Hancock said “We are so pleased with the first phase of redevelopment at our St Albans Campus. Willmott Dixon have ensured the residential Homestead block stayed on track and have delivered to a high standard, incorporating 81 en-suite bedrooms for students with fantastic facilities. We now look forward to the second phase which is the general teaching block due for completion in 2021. “

The college have now asked staff to name the General Teaching Block and the principal has a tough decision to make from lots of innovative name suggestions.

Oaklands have also been focussing on their sports facilities with a brand new 3G pitch now completed and ready for students and the community in September. Large amounts of soil work can be seen from Hatfield Road, which is also part of the project to provide a top quality sports pitch. A brand new sports pavilion, along with a construction centre will be in Phase 3 of the development offering even more opportunities to local students and the wider community.

For more information about all four phases of our redevelopment project, click here.