New £6.8m maritime training hub opens on River Clyde

Jul 12 2011

River Clyde maritime facility

A STATE-OF-THE-ART training centre for maritime students was officially opened on the River Clyde this week.

The s6.8m Marine Skills Centre, Jetty and Pontoon creates another landmark on the river next to Albert Bridge and was opened by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday.

The development is part of the Clyde Waterfront partnership, a 15-year scheme to revamp the banks of the River Clyde, and represents the first stage of City of Glasgow College's new campus development.

It features a freefall lifeboat, a practice pontoon and a jetty.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I am delighted to help mark the completion of this excellent facility in my constituency. Glasgow has a long and proud maritime tradition and it's fantastic to see the City of Glasgow College not only continuing that tradition but leading the way.

"I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to complete the Riverside Project and look forward to its continued success."

The campus, which costs s6.8 million and will accommodate around 1200 staff and 40,000 students, is located at two sites: City Campus in Cathedral Street and Riverside Campus in Thistle Street, both in Glasgow city centre.

Richard Speight, vice-principal of City of Glasgow College, said: "Our expertise is highly valued and we are international leaders in the delivery of specialist bespoke maritime training.

"We recognise the importance of continuing to lead and innovate in the development of maritime training and development both in the UK and internationally; after all, this is the heritage of the city whose name we share."

City of Glasgow College principal Paul Little also attended the opening of the centre.

He added: "We enjoy close working links with the most prestigious organisations delivering internationally recognised qualifications to the maritime industry.

"We aim to set standards others will follow, and the riverside project is a flavour of what is to come, as the new college moves towards the full rebuilding of the rest of its existing estate.

"The Marine Skills Centre and Jetty represent the first stages in the delivery of the City of Glasgow College's new campus vision. This project will deliver an inspiring, flexible, sustainable and high-quality learning environment."