Blackpool and The Fylde College’s new £10million University Centre has been officially opened by Lord Tom McNally of Blackpool in a spectacular festive themed ceremony which saw the College ‘unwrap’ its present to the town.

The University Centre, situated at the College’s central Blackpool site on Palatine Road, has been funded in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and supported by ReBlackpool.

The stylish, newly constructed Central Hub offers state of the art learning and support facilities for students and links together the existing buildings to create a modern, campus style environment. Centralised resources such as catering and student support have freed up much needed space in the existing buildings for future growth, while hard and soft landscaping and a tree lined avenue provide an impressive outdoor space.

The majority of degree courses, many of which are validated by Lancaster University, are now delivered at the University Centre.

A momentous launch event, sponsored by construction company ISG, saw the College literally unwrap the World's Biggest Christmas Present in front of staff, their families and invited guests. After the wrap came off the 36m x 18m x 10m structure, the illuminations came to College with a magnificent laser and theatrical light show choreographed to music.

Even Blackpool Tower was lit in support of the event.

Pauline Waterhouse OBE, Principal of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said:

“The creation of a University Centre for Blackpool marks a seminal moment in the history of the town, helping accelerate its most ambitious ever regeneration programme. “We are not only addressing the skills agenda for Blackpool, but we can now offer local people who want to embark on higher education a modern, well equipped premises where the learning and teaching experience will be first class.” “It was wonderful to see so many of our existing further and higher education learners involved in the launch event – performers, caterers, even our media make up students offering face painting for children. It just shows how talented and professional Blackpool and The Fylde College students are.

Doug Garrett, Chief Executive of ReBlackpool, said:

"The completion of work on the University Centre marks an important step in the regeneration not just of the College, but the town as a whole. "The work which has been completed will greatly enhance the facilities available not only to existing students, but also for young people who may attend the College in future years. "Along with the other key regeneration projects taking place in the town, the completion of this project raises the bar in terms of what Blackpool can deliver for residents and people thinking about moving to the area."

The new building has also recently become one of only a handful of buildings nationally to achieve a post construction BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, praising its sustainable design and environmental performance.

Staff and students are encouraged to cycle to College with the provision of secure bike shelters, lockers and showers on every floor. A rainwater harvesting system captures water and feeds a clean supply to the toilet systems within the building.

Continuing the green theme, the building wrap will be recycled and made into all-weather windscreen shields to be given to staff and students in the new year.

Blackpool and The Fylde College remains the country’s fourth largest FE provider of Higher Education.