Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones AM will officially open Coleg Gwent’s brand new Crosskeys Campus tomorrow.
A-level Music students, who are among the first to be studying in the £13 million new facility, will kick off the event with a performance of 19th century classical music.
The First Minister will then unveil a commemorative plaque to declare the new building officially open, and join other invited guests on a tour of the new facility.
The 4,700 square metre state-of-the-art building comprises 25 classrooms, a sports hall, two dance studios, performing arts theatre, fully equipped learning centre, music studio, rooftop garden, café and staff room.
It is also home to around 1,000 students on courses including A-levels, sport, performing arts, music and independent living skills. It also boasts many ‘green’ features including rainwater harvesting, solar thermal panels, a biomass boiler and is predominantly naturally ventilated.
Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales said: “I’m pleased to visit Coleg Gwent to open and see for myself the brand new facilities at the CrosskeysCcampus, which have been built with the help of Assembly Government funding.
“The new campus is an excellent example of modern, environmentally-friendly facilities and will allow students to learn in surroundings fit for the 21st Century.”
Students who started at the Campus in September 2010 have settled in well.
Jim Bennett, Coleg Gwent’s principal and chief executive, said: “The opening of the new building demonstrates our commitment to providing the excellent facilities that our students and staff deserve.
“The new campus is a great asset for everyone in the area, young people and adults, regardless of their subjects or level of study. I am confident that students from near and far will enjoy the learning experience this impressive new facility offers.”
Seventeen-year-old Nathan Keeble from Pontlanfraith started the second year of his A-levels in the new building last September.
He said: “This new building is brilliant. It has made a major improvement to the Crosskeys Campus.”